Christmas Eve

We had the special honor of hosting my little sister Leigha for Christmas this year.  She arrived in D.C. the afternoon of Christmas Eve; Jillian, Faith, and I picked her up from the airport. Then the four of us girls enjoyed the drive home catching up with one another before we were thrown into all the excitement of the rest of the fun evening. 

First, we joined the Smith family for a yummy dinner of Chicken Tortilla Soup and Potato Soup.

Then we had a little time to play! Leigha and Prescott had a blast competing in some Wii Kinect game; it was really entertaining watching them (they got really into it!). 

Then Lindsey and the little girls decided to give dancing a try!

My sweet friend and hostess, Michelle.  It was a wonderful evening with friends.
Then both of our families made our way to the church for the Christmas Eve service. It was a beautiful service and I loved all the Christmas carols we sang as a congregation. 

After the service, Leigha sweetly took this family photo before we opened our traditional Christmas Eve presents as a family.

First, as was our tradition last year (at Jillian's request), I opened Jillian's gift to Brad and me. It was a sweet poem about little Kindergarten hands with her gold handprint on it. 

Then, we broke the tradition a little bit, and gave the girls new robes for Christmas instead of pajamas (but it is is still in the "nightwear" category and PLUS Grammie and Grandad gave us some adorable Christmas pajamas earlier in the month!).  Faith was given this princess robe with a matching one for her baby doll; her ornament was a princess crown. 

Jillian's face of excitement when she first saw HER robe! 

Jillian received a horse robe with a horse ornament because of her new found love for horses this year.

Aunt Leigha was given new "nightwear"/ pajamas too! :-)

Then Brad opened his new game for Christmas, Dominion Prosperity.  I love Brad's, Jillian's, and Faith's face of excitement!

(But as you can see from Anna's little face, she was very tired at this point and a little confused about all the excitement! So unfortunately, I did not get a great photo of little Anna with her new ornament but she got one with a sand castle to commemorate both her first experience at the beach and our camping trip as a family in 2011. )

Then we had the extra surprise of opening a gift from my sister. Leigha hand-created this wonderful "Welcome to the Holmes" plaque for Brad and me!  I was so blessed by her thoughtfulness and the work she put into our gift. 

Then it was bed-time. After we were sure the girls were asleep....

Brad got to work putting together the girls "unwrapped/ SURPRISE Christmas tree gifts".

Before anytime at all had passed, the girls presents were ready and under the tree for Christmas morning!