Christmas 2024 - Christmas Eve

 First Post of the Day

We packed a lot into Christmas Eve Day so this blog post is photo-intensive.

Hanging Out

Jessica, Andrew, and Vanessa chatting by the tree.

Frank and Lisa.

JC, Jayci, and Trinity.

Just as my sewing room was needed to accommodate guests, Vanessa converted her photography studio into an overflow game and eating room.

Cookie Decorating

Aprons I'd made for the grands in the past were pulled out for use.

We started by having the youngest cuzzos decorate a few cookies (Susan, Lukas, and Melissa),

and then added in the next "age level." Kate,

Mila,

and Titan.

Next, it was the quads' turn. Whitney,

Ian, Julie, and Cambria. (With Melissa making an appearance.)

Finally, the adult cousins were invited to decorate if they desired. They were all in! (Trinity and JC by Whitney.)

Trinity's Little Mermaid cookie.

Jayci.

Jessica taking photos with Susan and Lukas.

Emily checking to see who needs what.

Pizza Time!

After a massive clean up from the cookie decorating project, we set out plates and tableware for pizza.

Plus a veggie tray or two.

The under-18s ate in the kitchen and got their pizza first. The couple on the couch is Todd's parents, Pat and Carmen. They came up from Tennessee and joined us for the holiday.

And then the adults trooped into the kitchen and served themselves. (This is VERY much a home movie.)

The Nativity

After pizza came the traditional re-enacting of the Nativity. Only this year, the kids took it over from Vanessa and did all the planning and preparing.

They even made a program and, like Vanessa had always done, included lyrics to the songs we would sing.

A Christmas Queen?? Where does that factor into the Nativity?!

Clearly, those cousins have been watching A Charlie Brown Christmas! (The Christmas Queen was actually the narrator.)

The Christmas Queen part made me smile, but what Titan wrote at the end of the program made me laugh.

I guess he got tired of writing! (And he was right; we did all know the lyrics!)

The adults gathered when the kids called us into the family room. 

The stable was ready. (Turned out that the Baby Jesus/Melissa was already under that furry blanket!)

The under-18s did a fabulous job!

The PJ Elf Arrives!

Suddenly, the doorbell rang - the PJ Elf had come by!

New pjs were left for all the under-18s

and the older cousins, too! (Trinity loves to wrap gifts and will do it for anyone who asks.)

Honestly, someday I'd like the PJ Elf to drop off something for me, too!

Caroling

Our final activity of the night, and one I shared here, was caroling. 

Here's another video of us singing. This time it's Silent Night.

End of the Night Photos

Our kids - Sarah, Jessica, Kyle, Lisa, Curt, and Cole.

Our girls. How awesome to have those dearest to our hearts home for the holidays!