Christmas Eve

Every year, we go to my parents' house for Christmas Eve. My mom does a wonderful job organizing everything, and her home always looks (and smells) beautiful! She seems to think of everyone's needs, without leaving anybody out. And somehow, she manages to keep smiling throughout the night, no matter how exhausted she might be. Thank you, Mom! I love you.

It was so exciting to have my older brother and his family visiting this year! They have four kids, close to our kids' ages. Between their kids and ours, they are pretty much all one year apart. Logan is 8 and a half, Brian is 7, Noah is 6, Elizabeth is 5, Emma is 4, James is 2 and a half, and Carter is almost nine months. We haven't seen them in about two years, so it was CRAZY to see how much bigger all the kids were! We had tons of fun while they were here, and we were sad to see them go  :(

Aunt Susie & Uncle Sergio with Carter

listening to Great-Grandpa D'Avignon read from Luke

(tradition)

Emma was eyeballing the gifts the entire time!

Noah was really irreverent and kept dancing ...

... because sitting still is just so boring!

For the most part, he did great.

This is Carter opening his very first gift!

(Thank you, Aunt Judy!)

The highlight of Emma's night: Princess Ariel dress-up shoes!

(Thank you, Great-Grandparents D'Avignon!)

She has had the dress for almost a year, with no shoes to match.

Life is rough.

Carter wanted to eat the wrapping paper! Here he is in action, with a little help from Daddy  :)

The cutest part of Christmas Eve: my baby in his Christmas jammies!

Merry First Christmas, Carter!

Love you always,

Daddy, Mommy, Noah, & Emma