Christmas Eve

my girls are in bed. the cousins are following shortly. it's been a wonderful day. can't believe we have to say goodbye to these people so soon. it feels like they just got here.

we started Christmas eve by making some gingerbread houses.



avery was hilarious. she was WAY more interested in eating than decorating.




we all went to vanguard for the Christmas Eve service.



look at kady joy worshipping. beautiful.



daddy was drumming but he sat with us for a bit


don leading his girls in communion


the whole "houle" fam, plus my mom, dad and grandma


we found ashton's best friend lucy there too


singing some carols for us




watching the legend of the candy cane (thanks kim :))




the magnificent seven





opening christmas eve presents


jammies, a book, and an ornament





then the kiddos went to bed and the adults exchanged some gifts. it was fun to do some of the presents while the kiddos were in bed. we had enough to open in the morning anyway. we talked, took our time, watched each other open and just enjoyed how peaceful it felt next to the fire and the tree.








brother and sister preparing the orange for some cider


after we finished all of our elf duties we finally made it to bed after midnight.

um, it's still hard for me to fall asleep on Christmas Eve.