Christmas Eve

When we were growing up Christmas Eve was held at my Grandma and Grandpa Giles' house west of Airdrie, and it was always a special night.  We would head out there in the afternoon have a big family meal, hang out with our cousins, and usually I could convince them to participate in a Christmas Caroling/Talent show before the night was done.  Then it was home to prepare for the chaos and pure excitement of Christmas morning.

As we got older, and people got busier the group for Christmas Eve started to dwindle, and so Grandma started to change the date to accomodate more of us.  I never missed a Christmas Eve at Grandma's, seven years ago we lost my Grandma; she was in the middle of cooking Christmas dinner for us (although it was December 10), when she suffered a brain aneurysm.  She passed quickly, and while it was a terrible shock for those of us left behind, I know it was how she would have wanted it.

The following year, in an attempt to hold onto this family tradition I offered (read "Insisted) to host Christmas Eve at my house.  We had to "Julieize" it a bit, so no big fancy dinner, instead we have appetizers (as in bring your own),  we hang out for the evening, play a gift exchange game, and usually have a good visit.  It has become our tradition, and I love it.

Sloan missed a good portion of the evening this year, as he was tucked away in bed by 7, but this is a tradition I will carry on for him, so he can have the same family memories of Christmas Eve that I hold in my heart.

This year to make it a little more fun, for the  kids, we set up a cookie decorating station.  Denise was left in the kid room to supervise, because all that icing, all those sprinkles, and all those kids....clearly needs supervision.  They decorated up their cookies, and were all so excited to take them home for Santa. 

This is a good pairing, as Kolt & Austin, were both keen to get right down to work.

This cookie decorating is serious business... the room was quite quiet the whole time, and check out the expressions on the kids faces...

I really wish I had taken an "after" photo of the cookies, this was the in the early stages, by the end there was no cookie to be seen, and sugar, icing, and candies pilled into little mountains.  I hope Santa had his toothbrush handy or he surely will have some new cavities to contend with...

For some reason,  I have no other photos to share from Christmas Eve, I should have pictures of people laughing, visiting, eating and drinking, but don't worry, I've got plenty from Christmas Day - coming your way!

Love,  Julie