Christmas Eve

We had such a nice Christmas Eve Day.  Nate had worked the mid, so he slept a lot of the day, but the kids and I spent a good portion of the morning cleaning up the house "for Santa".  I think the kids are on to me.  They know it's mostly for me and that Santa only cares about our bedrooms being clean, but hey, whatever it takes to get a clean house to spend Christmas in :).  We were really excited for the prize that resided in "The Bag".  I told the kids it was a fun surprise that we needed to get dressed nice for and that was all they needed to know!  They were SO excited!  And they didn't even know what for :).  

Once Dad was awake and things were all taken care of, everyone was dressed and looking clean and nice, we opened the bag and found out that we were going to go to Nate's work.....

and

talk

to 

SANTA!!!!!

afterall!!

This was a cool surprise!

WE met up with Nate's parents and Aunt Jen at his work.  Nate had wanted to take them to show them around his work, so they all went in first, then we were able to sneak through security (jk) and get in without Nate and meet them in the lobby.  

It's always fun to go to Nate's work.  To see where he spends his days.  The kids love his break room the most :).  

ANYWAY-

We went up for our turn to talk to Santa without too much of a wait, it was awesome.

Since it's been well over a week since it happened, I don't have ALL the details that I would like to remember, but here's what I remember:

(the order I don't remember)

Santa congratulated Erika for dressing herself so well, and learning to sleep in her own bed.  He thanked her for being so nice to her baby brother, Jack.  He asked her what she wanted and she said, "A Blankie".  Santa told her she would be happy with what he was bringing her.

Santa congratulated Noah for not sucking his fingers anymore and for going to his Primary class by himself so well the last few weeks.  Asked him what he wanted and Noah rattled off a bunch of things (including Buzz Lightyear- a new obsession that began THAT MORNING!), and Santa laughed :).

Santa told Luke to make sure he used his amazing talents to help him at school and to keep doing his homework and going to school.  He asked him what he wanted and Luke said he didn't know.  He told Luke to keep playing with Buddy.

When Bradley talked to him, he told Bradley how he used to play Basketball too, before he hit the cookies, just like Brad.  I don't think he asked Bradley what he wanted for Christmas.

Kelly found out that Mrs. Claus had been in the Sound of Music Play that her school did too!  She had played the part of Leisl.  How cool is that!  I don't think he asked Kelly what she wanted either.

Santa congratulated Charity for winning her spelling bee.  Asked her about Buddy, then asked her what she wanted.  She wasn't sure either.  Then he told her to keep up the good typing.

I LOVE that our kids have had the chance to do this over the years!  It's SO much fun for them.  And me.  I love cool stuff that only applies to kids of Air Traffic Controllers :).

So once we were done talking to Santa, and finished our tour of Nate's work, said goodbye to Grandma Ruthie and Grandpa Russ, it was time to go home.

We still had about an hour to kill before Grandpa's party.  

SO

I just texted him and asked if we could come early :).  

And we did.  

This is a memorable tradition for our kids.  Back when Nana was here, it was one of the only traditions my family had.  Going to Nana's house for goodies, Christmas Story, and of course, the grand opening of your present from Nana :).  She always got you exactly what you wanted, and you knew what it was going to be and it was one of the most exciting things about Christmas (for me anyway).  We always sat around for hours waiting for the Tuellers, that was always hard.... but it was fun!

Now that Nana is gone, we go to Grandpa Hatch's house to carry out this tradition. This year, Grandpa took everyone shopping during the week before Christmas to pick out their gifts.  This was pretty exciting for everyone.  To have one on one time with Grandpa, and then ice cream for most of them, or dinner or lunch, and then getting the exact thing they wanted, no matter how hard it was to find or how long it took to decide.  Which apparently is a long time for some of my kids.  Figures.

Grandpa had a lot of food, lots of presents, and we all had a lot of fun visiting.  Brent, Sarah, Charlie, Alvin, Steve, and Jauslin were all there.  We always go youngest to oldest opening presents.  Everyone seemed more than happy with their gifts this year.  Me especially :).  I got a new sewing machine!!  Wahoo!!  Nate got his beloved Jazz tickets (when my Dad finds a winning gift, he sticks with it :) ).  Charity picked Heelies

Kelly got her Calico Critters

Bradley- Heelies

Luke actually didn't get to pick out his own gift because Grandpa had bought his earlier in the year.  A Remote Control Mario Cart and an Angry Birds blanket (with hoodie)- surprisingly, I think he liked the blanket the most.  That's probably partly because the Remote Control car only worked for a few minutes before they had to charge it and then when he tried it the next day, it didn't ever work.  That was a bummer.  But Luke is totally cool about it.  I love that about Lukey.  Grandpa is trying to get him another one.

Noah picked out a talking telescope.  Not sure what he was thinking there.  Passed up all of the millions of other things he had been wanting all month... but whatever.  He was happy.

Erika picked out a doll that walks, silly string (her favorite) and a tooth brush holder- with Dora on it... Grandpa obviously doesn't know I've put a ban on all Dora anything. Just kidding.

And Jack.... well.... he didn't get anything :) HA!  My Dad's funny.  He forgets about some of his littler grand kids :).  Makes me laugh.  

Once we'd eaten all we could eat, and made a big enough mess of Grandpa's house, we all packed up the car and came home.  

It was then time for the traditional JAMMIES!!  Somehow I convinced my kids that I wasn't doing the pajamas this year, so it was a surprise :).

I did pretty good on the sizes this year, except on Luke's, his MIGHT fit him before he goes on his mission... just kidding.  They're a couple sizes too big.  We'll see if we can adjust them, but Luke seems to love them still.  And they matched the blanket Grandpa gave him :).

Had to post enough pictures to capture everyone's best :)

After Jammies, we hurriedly laid out some of the chocolate covered pretzels for Santa that we'd made earlier for neighbors, then carrots for the reindeers, then....

OFF TO BED!!  

There was excitement in the air!