Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve the kids were up early with lots of energy and excitement for Christmas. I had a couple errands I needed to run and some cleaning to get done and I hadn't wrapped a single gift so I had all of that to do (which was quite a bit because I had to wrap all the gifts that family shipped to us).  Thankfully Paul had five days off for Christmas so he was home to help.  I was really happy with how they arrange the holidays for the residents.  They either get 5 days off for Christmas or 5 days off for New Years.  Paul lucked out and had Christmas off.  And just because they are schedule for a certain holiday doesn't mean they would be working all five days.  Paul was only scheduled to work two shifts for new years but because he switched some shifts with another intern so that he could take his step 3 board exam he ended up working four shifts.  And honestly it wasn't that big of deal having him work New Year's since we had him home so much for Christmas.    

Leila and Greydon wanted to play outside so I got all their snow gear on and sent them outside.  They lasted about 10 minutes because it was so cold outside.  I swear I spend more time getting all their snow gear on and off then they actually play outside.  Paul ended up taking the kids to run my errands so I could get the cleaning done around our house.  

And then Paul decided to take them sledding.  I'm surprised they lasted as long as they did because it was so bitterly cold.  But from the pictures below you can tell they were having a blast.  

That night we invited our friends Brandon and Kara over for dinner and to play games.  We had a pretty laid back night with no pressure to be anywhere or do anything.  As much as we missed our family it was nice to not have to travel and haul presents all over.  It was really nice to be in our own home and begin some of our own traditions.  

The kids enjoying a pizza dinner.  As you can tell from the dancing they were really excited for Santa to come.  And please ignore the fact that Greydon doesn't have pants on, I seriously can't keep him dressed and because he is always losing clothing sometimes I just don't notice.  This is one of those traditions we have changed.  We always go to Paul's family party on Christmas eve and they always have soup.  We are bummed that we are missing the party and so I was going to have soup but after talking with Paul we decided we wanted something easy and I didn't feel like cooking so we decided to get pizza.  I think it will be a new tradition for us!

Kara holding Asher, our kids love her!  Brandon is an intern with Paul and Kara teaches music at the middle school.  Although they don't have kids they don't mind hanging out with us and all of ours.  Kara even babysits for us so that Paul and I can get a date night every once in awhile.  

Nie Nie always gives the kids new pajamas on Christmas eve and this year she even sent pajamas for Paul and I too.  They kids were excited to open them and get them on.  

Asher was trying to figure out this whole present opening business.  

They also got three more new Christmas books!

Trying to get a picture of all three looking and the camera and smiling is impossible.  This was the best we could do.

Leila wrote a letter to Santa and Greydon drew a picture and they put it out with oreos and milk.  They were both so excited I thought they would never calm down and go to sleep.  Paul had rented the movie Arthur Christmas so we put that on and made a bed on the couch for them.  They actually fell asleep pretty quickly.  Meanwhile we played games with Kara and Brandon.  We didn't stay up too late because Brandon had to work the next morning and luckily I got all the wrapping done in the afternoon.  

Looks like Santa came!