Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was spent at Mana's house with all the family. 

We got dinner from Cafe Rio and took it there to eat. After dinner, we played some games. 

JD had made 2 huge balls of cellophane with candy wrapped inside. We all had a chance to 

unwrap it while the next person was rolling dice and trying to roll doubles. When that 

happened, they would take the ball and unwrap it. It was really fun and the kids had a great 

time playing it.  Then we played Heads Up! with the Christmas deck. We were split 

into 3 groups and played 5 rounds, then switched teams and played more. I can't remember 

who won each round, but it was a lot of fun and becoming a yearly tradition on Christmas Eve.

Melody was happy just playing in the toy room and coloring.

Then it was time for cookies!!

Pat even made Egg Nog Shakes for a treat! YUMMY!!

All the girls have to do 'sugar lips' after the dough has been rolled. 

Next up was the Christmas Eve jammies from Karri.

Melody is starting to understand what to do with wrapped presents!!

Next it was the hanging of the stockings.

This is what Melody didn't like. So it took a few tries and her 

watching the other kids before she was willing to participate.

This picture makes Mara look so grown up! Seriously, she's only 9.

This was another thing that Melody didn't want to do. Probably because it was the end of the night 

and she was tired. But boy oh boy, these jammies are CUTE! The girls really liked them because the 

pants had pockets! Karri even embroidered the kids names on their shirts!!  I helped Karri with

 Melody's because they didn't come in her size. So I helped cut down a size XS/S into a 2T. 

These kids are so lucky to have an amazing Mana. 

She is so generous, kind and loving. These kids just adore her.

And it wouldn't be a real picture without doing some funny ones.

They were checking on where Santa was on Karri's phone.

The kids were tired and ready to go home so we didn't get a family picture 

at Mana's. So when we got home we were able to get a few of our own.

These 4 make everything worth it. I love them all so much and am grateful to be their mom.