Christmas Eve Memories

Christmas Eve dinner was planned between 3:00-3:30 p.m.  The dining room table was set for 12, and a nearby card table was set for Landon and Ellie.  A buffet food table was set-up in the family room.   The tablescape was basic and not fancy.

Our meal was traditional with family favorites: Turkey; Honey-glazed/spiral-cut Ham; Southern Green Beans; Candied Sweet Potatoes; Green Rice [containing chopped broccoli]; Corn Pudding; Amish Egg Noodles;  Homemade Cranberry Sauce; Glorified Rice; Cinnamon Applesauce Jello mold and semi-homemade Rolls.  I don't ask the women in our family to contribute to the meal as they cook for their families all year long.  This night is my labor of love to them.  We are still eating leftovers!

After dinner and the tables were cleared, we all went into the family room where granddaughter, Brooke, read the Christmas Story from Luke Chapter 2.  

Then it was time to open gifts - youngest to oldest, so Ellie went first.

After gifts, we played Christmas Charades - a new game for our family this year.  It's for ages 8 and up so Ellie was happy that she got to play.

There was lots of photo-ops throughout the evening, and the girls [Brooke and Izzy] went outside for some shots of their own - 22 degrees outside and no coats!  ;-)

~ Our three children - Steve, Lori, and Jeremy ~

~ Three of our 8 grands - Izzy, Ellie and Landon ~

~ Lori and Dave ~

Steve, Sharon and Brooke.  Brianna drove home from Nashville, but didn't arrive until later that evening, so she wasn't with us.  We were glad they were out of COVID quarantine and able to be with us.

~ Jeremy, Samantha, Isabella, Landon and Ellie ~

Mother/Daughter

After the gifts, games, and time of visiting, we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and ate birthday cake and Christmas cookies that Lori made and brought.  Unbeknownst to me, I bought trick candles that don't blow out.  After Ellie thought she had blown them out the flame came back.  The take-away... you just can't extinguish the Light of Jesus!

It was a very fun evening, and Christmas Day had more fun on the agenda... next post.