Christmas Eve

Every year we go to my brother Kurt's for Christmas Eve. We have a program that’s all about the Savior and the kids act out the night of Christ's birth while we read Luke 2. It’s a tradition that we wouldn’t miss for the world! This year Abby and Garrett were Mary and Joseph with baby Will as Jesus. If you notice in the pictures below there was a slight baby change when Will had a fit and didn’t want to play out his part. Luckily we have had a baby every year to fill the roll. The pressures on for next year! Who will have the next baby to fill the roll?????

Abby and Garrett – cute as can be!
These two are still best friends which makes me so happy!

They are so cute♥


Baby William happy now that Mama is holding him and he doesn’t have to be wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Below is the new baby Jesus – baby Taylor. She’s a girl but we’ll let it slide.

Is Berkeley the cutest Sheppard ever?

The cast and crew – they did a great job. Our narrator had a hard time keeping a strait face – he did more laughing than talking. It was so funny – not sure why he was laughing but funny none-the-less!

Then we had the kids sing some songs. Zac sang "10 Little Reindeer", Cass and Abby sang "Joy to the World", Garret sang "I'm getting nothin' for Christmas" , Morgan and her sister sang and Harley stole the show (he’s 3) by singing "Bringing Home My Baby Bumble Bee" – all the verses! I think he is going to be in show business some day. We then watched an amazing video that Pam had made. It was so wonderful! Great Job Pam!!

Grandma Patty (Aunt Pam’s mom) gave all the kids pajamas. The kids look forward to this every year! We are so thankful for her and her sweet generosity. Abby was so excited about hers because it had frogs on it just like the ones I gave away a few months ago! (Cassidy didn’t get in the picture because she was the 1st one to open hers and ran into the bathroom to change.)
We are so thankful for Christmas traditions and for Kurt and Pam for hosting this wonderful night for us to enjoy.

Christmas Tradition #14

Christmas Eve at Kurt & Pam's is always a fun time. We eat, hang out, open P.J.'s from Grandma Patty and have the kids act out Luke 2 for all our enjoyment. This year the group was a little smaller so the adults had to step in and act out some parts. We as a family even sang a song! I think Garrett and Abby look so cute as Joseph and Mary. They were both so excited that they got those parts!

Christmas Tradition #12

#12 The Santa Collection One of my favorites from my Mom because she was so talented in her sewing.

(I think this was her favorite too)

My bookshelf with some of the Santa's on it along with my new JOY blocks from Lizzy.

(Thanks Lizzy we love them!)

One of my other favorites....a little elf Santa....love his hat!

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The first year Tom and I were married (all of two weeks) I found a Santa stuffed into my stocking from my new hubby. I have been collecting Santa's ever since. I usually get a new one each year from my Mom along with my birthday ornament. The year she died and it came time for my birthday I was a little sad because I knew I wouldn't be getting a Santa from her any more. I opened my gift from my MIL and can you guess what it was? Yep, a Santa. She has carried on the tradition which means more to me than just getting a Santa each year. (Although, the Santa she gave me this year ROCKED! Literally....it was a rocking Santa and my girls just couldn't get enough of his booty shaking to "It's a Holly Jolly Christmas! Great fun!)

#13 The Santa Pillow Collection

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Going right along with #11 I love picking up a new Santa pillow for the couch each year. (I haven't gotten one this year oops!) It just makes our family room seem more like Christmas. It's also a very quick and easy birthday gift for me if you don't know what to get me! (hint-hint for next year!)

Christmas Tradition #11

O.K. I'm almost done with my Holiday Traditions. When I started posting these I realized that we have quite a few traditions around here. Most of them are ones that everyone does and there are a few oddities that I think just just family does - who knows. I have had a lot of fun writing about each tradition and sharing my memories. It's good to write things down I have come to realize. The older I get the less I remember so I've got to write 'em down while I can!

Tradition #11 is Christmas Pillow Cases

Growing up my Mom made us each a Christmas pillow case when we were young. We looked forward to putting that on our pillows each year. A few years ago My Mom was having a hard time thinking of a gift to give to each of us. I suggested the Christmas pillowcases since we didn't have them for our own little families. She went CRAZY!! I mean, SEWING CRAZY! I think just my little family (Cassidy was still in her crib) got 8-10 sets of Christmas pillowcases. She also threw in some Kwanzaa and Hanuka pillowcases too (not sure why?). We are definitely set for Christmas. Good think too since we have six pillows on our bed that need cases! Ü

Christmas Traditions #7

Gingerbread Houses!

Every year we make a gingerbread house. The girls LIVE for it! Abby begged and begged until I finally got one. I'm thankful for my kids because they make me DO the traditions even when I don't feel like I have time for them. We had a very good time and as you can see I'm not in any way particular on how we do the gingerbread house. I just let them go for it! Isn't that what it's all about? I'm sure as the girls get older the house will get prettier.