Christmas Eve

We had a really nice Christmas Eve.  I loved waking up to a clean house because of some really sweet little cleaning elves.  We were able to relax most of the day.  Nate had to work, but was able to get an earlier shift so he worked from 12-8:00 instead of 4-12:00.  We were glad about that.  He borrowed Alan's car and left around 11:30.  We did our Sunday stuff around lunch time and I prepared the Jalepeno poppers for the dinner that evening while everyone was getting showered and dressed.  We made a stop at Grandma's house to be spoiled and showered with gifts,

 then on to Nate's work to talk to Santa.  That is always a highlight.  The kids seem to love it :).  This year we went youngest to oldest.  Jack was first, told Santa he wanted walkie talkies for Christmas :).  And actually talked to him, which was kind of new :).  Then Erika.  She told Santa she wasn't sure if she had been good :).  He reassured her.  She asked for a ukulele.  He praised her for learning the piano and winning first place in her races this year.  Noah was next, Santa congratulated him on the piano as well and asked about his magic tricks.  He told Santa he wanted a bell from his sleigh.  Luke told Santa that he hoped he had been good enough this year :).  Santa asked him about his friend Clint and his TTM success.  Then Luke asked him to "surprise him" this year.  Santa liked that.  Bradley's turn, he was totally nervous for what he was going to tease him about :).  Apparently, Santa usually teases him about something.  He was gentle this time :).  Which seemed to be more nerve-racking for Bradley, just waiting for it to happen :).  He talked about Bridger and asked him if they were getting into trouble.  Bradley told Santa he wanted a fly tying kit.  Santa seemed surprised about that- maybe because Bradley doesn't fly fish yet :).  Kelly was next.  She told Santa to surprise her as well.  He talked to her about her ukulele and success in school.  Charity was last (but not least) and she told him she wanted to be surprised as well.  Smart girl.  Santa talked to her about doing well in school.  It's so nice to get some praise from him and reflect on the successes of the year.

After talking to Santa, we rushed off to Grandpa's house, only to get there "sooner than expected", oops.  Everyone was SO anxious for Grandpa's house.  We ate lots of yummy food and had fun hanging out with the Hatches again.  Grandpa put on some fun kid Christmas movies and Sarah talked him into letting us open presents early :) (just kidding, Sarah :) ).  Everyone was SO happy that we didn't have to wait for anyone.  The present opening was super chaotic, but just how it's supposed to be :).  Everyone was good and spoiled!  Including me!  We're thinking Grandpa wants us to start a circus or something with the unicycle, stilts, ukulele, and such... Bradley's totally on board, got big plans for a summer circus :).  Wouldn't surprise me.  Brent and Sarah left around 7:15 and we decided we needed to wait for Nate.  He was really anxious to see everyone.  Unfortunately he didn't get there til 8:30 when most of the partying was done (Strange as it was).  He got to open his Jazz tickets and a few other gifts.  So that was fun.  We ate more food, watched Elf, and then finally rolled out of there around 9:30.  Hopefully Grandpa and Dawn weren't too bugged with our overstay.

Using Brent's cool flash

Using Brent's cool flash when it wasn't working... but I still like this picture.

Proof that I do exist!

The mess!

Grandpa in his new hammock!  

We got home and opened jammies and then rushed off to bed!  It was a nice evening that ended sooner than usual- that got me all excited :).

Someday maybe I'll get them matching jammies... someday...

Nope I don't think there was one picture with them ALL looking at the camera... oh well.

This was Noah and Luke sprinkling Noah's Grinch repellent all over the front yard :).  Too bad my camera was being lame!