Christmas Eve 2023

I love it when Christmas Eve or Christmas falls on a Sunday.  This year it was Christmas Eve and it was so lovely.  

The choir did the program and it was A LOT of music to have ready to accompany the choir.  I enjoyed preparing so much music, but I will say, that was a lot during a very busy month.  I was relieved with it was over.

The family-- we missed Clark being with us, but he came up for most of the day.

Abe and Elinor made the dip for the big dinner later in the day.  Here is a funny little thing about Abe and cooking.  Rather than just following the instructions and adding the ingredient amounts the recipe calls for, Abe regularly tries to improve the recipe.  Even if he's never made the recipe before-- nay, especially if he's never made it before.  Also, he sometimes will add things that the recipe in no way calls for.  Mind you, Abe is not a gourmet chef with tons of experience combining flavors.  Rather, he just thinks if some is good, then more will be better.  

The result of this day's creative endeavor was very over-seasoned dip.  Oh well.  We don't want to break his cooking spirit.

Making rolls with my little sweetie.  She makes her own mini rolls.

Such joy when the family all arrives for the very traditional Christmas Eve festivities.

Happy girl cousins

Time for the gingerbread competition!!

This year's theme was "What Christmas Means to Me" by Stevie Wonder.

Misty and George selling it to the judge.  Theirs was a model of our house, celebrating all the good Christmas memories we have together.

I especially like the little piano (top left)

Team 2

Grandpa was the spokesman

I admit, it was an impressive Nativity scene.

Team 3

I thought theirs was incredible! So clever!

Greta and Jules get their own table to make their own creations

Team 4

Cannon was persuasive, but not persuasive enough.

Another Nativity complete with angel choir.

Team 5-- spoiler alert-- their team was the Grand Champion.

It was well deserved victory.

Greta really wanted to be the angel this year and Sunny was Mary.

Cannon sang "O Holy Night"

Abe read "A Christmas Bell for Anya"

Cousins with Grandpa

"'Twas the Night Before Christmas" with Grandpa

We were so happy to have Bethany home to read "Cajun Night Before Christmas" 

How cute are they!

My favorite people 

When all the extended family headed home, we snuggled up together to watch Mr. Krueger's Christmas".

Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Family Christmas Night of Music 2024

We enjoyed this so much last year, that we wanted to try it again.  Especially now that we have Bethany home.  

I'm a big believer in doing what you love and inviting people to come along and enjoy it with you.  What you love might not be for everyone, but some people will love it with you.  I love music and watching people develop their talents and I love gathering people I love.  So this activity is very enjoyable for me.  

Adam's one-man band was a highlight.

Jakob and Corrine's "Carol of the Bells".  This sibling duo are beloved former students and it's tradition for them to perform this number.

The Snow family's rendition of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer-- Star Wars version.  So funny

Abe and Aaron sang "Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella"

Faith and Justin's Nutcracker Medley duet

Bethany and Brandon shared their original Christmas song, "Bethlehem"

Bryson's "O Holy Night"

This event grew out of our two families-- the Foxes and Chases-- getting together each December for a night to revel in our love of Christmas music.  We love the Chases!