Christmas Eve 2013

The Christmas Eve festivities began at our house around 5:00.

My brother Matt, Abe, and Clark.

Queen Aliyah and King George.

The traditional Christmas Eve dinner on my mother's Christmas dishes.

My favorite picture of the Christmas season is George, Aliyah, and Emi throwing magic reindeer food outside in preparation for Santa's arrival.

Cousins at Christmas.

Singing carols at Christmas.

The wisemen rejoicing at Jesus's birth.

Cannon (a shepherd) and Brigham (Joseph).

Allison and kids in Christmas jammies.

The reading of The Night Before Christmas.

Bethany wrote and shared her poem, " 'Twas the Real Night Before Christmas".

"Gelf" the Elf's final destination on Christmas Eve.  We're glad that Gelf turned back toward the light at the end.  He took a turn for the dark side a couple of nights ago and we were all very concerned.

The masked and caped marauder was caught stealing candy canes.  Clark suggested that perhaps Gelf hadn't received enough attention this Christmas season and he thought negative attention was better than no attention at all.

The living room after Santa's arrival with gifts for 5 adults and 8 children.  

We had a full house last night!  The more the merrier.

Matt and Misty and their girls used the girls room and all six of our children zonked out in the little boys' room. Personal space is overrated. 

But excitement on Christmas Eve is not overrated.  It was a magical night.