Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve was not what we really planned this year. In the past years, we have always spent Christmas Eve with Don's mom and his grandparents, but since his grandfather has been ill and now lives in a special home, we spend christmas eve day with his family instead. We were suppose to go the children's mass at 5pm but we had to skip out as I was sick and Kellen had pink eye. It was very strange to not go to Christmas Eve mass. It seemed this whole advent season we were getting ready for the real big celebration, but had to miss it. But to be honest I did feel pretty miserable and I would have felt worse to sicken the whole parish with the Corcoran germs. So we took it easy. After putting the boys to bed (pretty easy still since they still don't quite grasp the santa thing yet) we finished wrapping and went to work as little elves putting the loot under the tree. When I was really little, we would go to mass, then come home and get in our jammies. My mom and dad would make us hot chocolate using the special big black and white plaid mugs. Then we would hang our stockings and my mom would read us "Twas the night before Christmas". Then off to bed we would all go. Usually we would all sleep in the same room that night - at least us older three. We would be way to excited to sleep so we would stay up all night talking and waiting to hear Santa! I will never forget the year Sarah heard the reindeer on our roof! We were sooo scared! Awe the memories are so great. Christmas Eve was a very special night for Don's family too. I love starting our own traditions with the boys. We will have so much fun in the years to come.

Kellen posing with some of the loot! Hewas an extra little elf that night!

All is said and done!