Christmas Eve

For Christmas Eve we always gather with my family. We eat fabulous food, act out the nativity while my dad reads the story from the Bible, sing songs, play games, do the family gift exchange and open presents from Grandma and Grandpa. Also, each grandchild got to perform a musical number or talent if they chose to. Little Hema played a duet of "Frosty the Snowman" with me on the piano. It was so cute to see how excited he was! This year we were missing two families - Jen and Jim and Jake and Tyra. It really wasn't the same with out them there! I think all of my siblings should either move back to Utah or write into their work contracts a requirement to be in Utah for Christmas. Just a suggestion of mine! :)

Here is a picture of the nativity. A lot of the older cousins weren't there and this younger group was a bit unruly.

Hema was a wise man (David was his camel), Vela an Angel, and Cora was baby Jesus.

Grandma usually does slippers for the grand kids but this year she did pjs. The kids loved them. Somehow I ma missing a few of the grand kids in every picture I took.

Cora got some pjs too - I'm not sure why she isn't wearing them in the picture.

Jess and Sterling and our family stayed over at my parents. We got the kiddies down to sleep and set in helping Santa get things ready for the next morning. 

Hema's presents:

Vela's goods:

And for Cora:

It was a wonderful night and we love all the traditions we do as a family over Christmas! I love that my kids have so many cousins to play with. They love all their Hawkins and Katoa cousins and were so happy to have so many visiting from out of town!