It's the moment we've all been waiting for--- CHRISTMAS EVE! Kids think Christmas morning is the highlight of Christmas, but Christmas morning wouldn't be Christmas morning without the magical lead-up that is Christmas Eve.
Everything was up in the air with COVID and we invited my siblings and their families over as usual. We said we understood if they weren't comfortable coming, but Christmas Eve was on as usual at our place. I'm so glad they came. One of my brother's wasn't able to make it, but I'm so glad his girls were able to come.
The girls had so much fun with their gingerbread building competition and we had lots of left over supplies. So we decided to test out a new tradition-- a Cannon family competition.
The family DID NOT disappoint. There were four teams and every table had identical supplies to work with. That is all you could use, but you could trade with other teams. And let me say-- my family were shrewd traders.
The theme was "I'll Be Home For Christmas" Grandma and Grandpa Cannon, who out of caution were not joining us, were to be the judges.
Team #1-- Abe, George, Elinor, Kaylee, and Aunt Brigitta (not pictured) and Aunt Laura (not pictured)
They made an impressive Christmas train and station headed home for Christmas. It was impressive.
And not only were they team #1, but they also won "Best Use of Theme" and Overall Winner.
Team #2 was Jon, Faith, Eli, Bethany, and Alexa.
I didn't get a close up of their creation, but it definitely won "Most Disturbing". Originally it was going to be a plane flying a missionary home for Christmas, but when the house caved in, it turned into a fiery scene of death as the plan crashed into a house and everything was on fire. In the end, the missionary returned to his heavenly home.
Team #3 was Misty, Clark, Aliyah, Emi, Rosalie, and Greta (maybe? I don't know, but she's in the picture)
Theirs was IMPRESSIVE. It won "Best Structural Integrity", but there were many in the family who feel Team #3 was robbed. That, in fact, they ought to have been declared the overall winner. I don't know. You be the judge.
This team were particularly shrewd traders with their supplies.
Team #4 was Chip, yours truly, Brigham, Cannon, Takara, Peter, and Chloe. I don't want to brag, but this team had it going on! We had a three part creation-- battle ground, airplane en route home, and a family welcoming home their solider from war. It was inspirational. There was even an American flag. And the judge was a VETERAN!!! How could we have only won "Christmas Spirit" award??!!!! I am not bitter.
I think we all had so much fun and there was consensus that we'd love to do this activity again next year. A new tradition is born?
The finished products
Takara was our graham cracker nibbler-- nibbling our crackers down to size:)
Chip is a true artist and I was more than a little happy to be on his team.
These cousins quite enjoy each others company-- Cannon, Aliyah, Takara and Kaylee
The cousins table
Peter, Kaylee and Faith
Rosalie, Emi, George, Eli, and Peter
Rosalie and Emi
Greta and Chloe
Takara and Aliyah
The adults table
Brig, me, and Chip
Chip, Laura, and Abe
The newlyweds first Christmas
Don't be thrown off by her jazz baby outfit--- Greta was a very sweet and demure Mary.
Faith was the donkey- and an excellent donkey she was.
I don't know what inspired Joseph's 5 o'clock shadow, but I imagine he did have facial hair.
Here are the shepherds and Rosalie as the the very best sheep to ever make an appearance in our Nativity pageant.
I loved the costumes of the Wise Men-- We had a Trekkie, a flapper, and a Hawaiian. For years now Bethany has headed up the pageant. She has complete creative control-- casting, costume, directing. She has gone some interesting directions in years past. This year she explored new looks in costuming. I kind of think she made it work.
Greta upon realizing the Christmas Eve pajamas from Grandma and Grandpa Cannon were kitty pajamas!
Bethany entertaining us with her rendition of
Cajun Night Before Christmas. Time for dessert:)
Cannon favored us with
this little improvised ditty about Clark and Alexa coming over for Christmas. This kid is non-stop.
Emi brought her violin over to have Bethany help her tune it. They played "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star" together. So sweet!
Greta and Jules are so beautiful!
First Christmas together.
This is one of my favorite pictures of Christmas this year. Greta was intrigued by this necklace neighbors were wearing at Cocoa and Doughnuts earlier in the week. They went and got one for Greta and wrapped it up and brought it to her on Christmas Eve. How thoughtful is that? She was beside herself with joy!
Feeding the reindeer with the reindeer food (oatmeal and glitter) Aunt Misty brought.
Oh, my! Getting ready for Christmas is a lot of work.
I am so grateful for Abe and his love and support, not just as we work together to get ready for Christmas, but as we navigate the always exciting journey of family life.
