Christmas Eve Eve

We celebrate Christmas with my dad and stepmom on December 23rd each year.  This is a picture of them with all six of their grandchildren.

My brother and his wife moved to FL this year so they weren't with us but my mother, as always, was invited and joined us for our celebration.

My stepmother has the most beautifully decorated house.  Each year I take a few pictures, just to try to capture the beauty.  I think part of the joy is being in surroundings so well-done and, well, perfect :)

My dad presented my mom, my sister, and myself with our home movies from growing up on DVD!  Many, many years ago I had all the film transferred to video tape but have never gone further with it. . .I was sooooo glad that he did!!!
Here we are enjoying watching these memories. . .:)

Yep, that's me on the big screen :)  I think it was fun for the kids to see Aunt Jenni and Aunt Jodi as little girls.

Thanks, Dad, for doing this for us!!!  He didn't know there were two vidoes. . .so I'll have to dig around and find a place to make a second digital file for us.

Before presents the six grandchildren presented their "special project" to their grandparents:

They recited Luke 2:1-20, each having a different set of verses and putting them all together.  Margaret, Thomas, and AVJ did a great job of memorizing their lines but Susan, Frederick, and Marie had to use some notes.  I videotaped it but haven't watched it yet. . .hoping that turned out too!

And then. . .present time!!!

What has turned into a *favorite* gift: a DS game for Frederick from Uncle Brad & Aunt Kristin.

A bath set for Margaret from Uncle Brad & Aunt Kristin

Under Armour flip flops for Marie from the VJ family!

And some for Thomas too :)

This is a blanket that the kids made for Susan. . .I also decorated their packages with the recipient's picture in a snowflake.

This is a pic of my sister going through the photo book I made for her family about our Cousin's Photo Shoot

The kids' "big" gift from their Mammaw and Grandpa Foster were new travel duffel bags.  They had gotten these a few years ago and out-grew them so these are the new, bigger ones for these constantly growing children!!!

My mother's "big" gift to our children were new ipod nanos.  We have had them since Black Friday and have been so excited for them to get them.  They were a HIT!

his was another photobook that was a gift (to my mom) -- it was of our Alabama trip that we took this summer with Tom's parents and my mom.  Frederick helped me make it and we even found a picture of the two of us on the beach to put on the back where you are supposed to do a "written by" line :)

And this gift. . .

. . .was probably the most unique -- Bonnie had a pencil drawing of the dog (Duke) done.  It was a really cool, thoughtful gift.  The detail in the picture is amazing.

My sister and brother-in-law

And beautiful nieces, AVJ and Susan.

And our yearly family picture in front of the tree.  I think it turned out pretty well! 

One of the kid's tables.  The others sat at the bar or at the "adult" table.  We all fit :)  Dinner is always perfect -- beef tenderloin, Greek salad, scalloped potatoes, bread, broccoli and "Bonnie's" deviled eggs.  This menu should *never* be changed!!!

And then on to the games!

Hot games of Spoons and Sorry Sliders!  

What a fun, fun evening. . .one we look forward to *all* year long!!!  Thank you, Dad and Bonnie, for the special Christmas memories :)