Christmas Eve (Eve)

We spent Christmas Eve (Remember, Christmas Eve for the Hurd's falls on the 23rd, not the 24th like most of the world) at my parents house. I always look forward to seeing my extended family and all of our holiday traditions.

My Grandparents I love all of the yummy food and and being surrounded by people that I love.
Karen, Koby, James and TakakoNancy, Craig, Devany, Carter and BrynneAustin, Jessica, Grandpa (my dad), and JeffJason

I seriously love this guy.

As I spent time thinking about what gifts to buy for people this year
and was asked what I wanted for Christmas, I felt so blessed to have so much love in my life. One of the greatest gifts I have been given, is my marriage with Jason. I love our relationship, the friendship, the communication, the understanding, the acceptance and the love we have for each other. I couldn't be happier.

I always love watching the kids act out the first Christmas. They are so funny as they get older and their personalities really start to show. Jessica has always been the oldest girl, so she has always been Mary. This year, she decided to pass Mary on to Lauren and asked if she could be the donkey! I don't think we have ever had a donkey, but she said she would make her own costume.

Ashlyn, Lauren, Jessica and Austin
Wes

I can't believe how big he is!Ashlyn loved being an angel

She was so excited to when she got to announce that Jesus had been born!
Lauren and Austin as Mary and JosephMe, playing with the new camera

(Isn't that why we do a nativity play? So us moms can take pictures?)

Next, we went outside to wait for the horses to pick us up for our annual "sleigh ride" through the neighborhood to look at the Christmas lights

Me and JasonLauren, always ready with a pose for the cameraJessicaDrew, Austin and GarrettTakako, Karen, Lisa, DarrellJessica and GrandpaAustin

"Jingle Bells! Jingle Bells!" The horses arrived!

"Yeah!"AshlynGrandma and Grandpa (my mom and dad) and Ashlyn Drew and CarterGrandpa (my Grandpa) and Lauren

Tara (Me) and Austin

We came back, and more yummy food and played games until we decided it was time to go home and get the kids to bed.

As we were putting out the cookies for Santa, Ashlyn said that she didn't want Santa to come into our house. When we asked her why, she said, "Because I am shy of him and I don't want him to come in our house while I am sleeping." She asked if we could lock all the doors and ask him to leave the presents outside on the porch. We could tell she was concerned about a strange man she didn't know coming into her house when she was asleep. After we thought about it, who could blame her? We are always telling kids how safe they are and that there isn't a monster under their bed or a boogy man in their closet, but somehow, the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy and Santa all sneak around while they are sleeping? That would be a little creepy if you think about it.

When Lauren could tell that we were thinking about it, she got really concerned. She tried to convince Ashlyn that we had to let Santa in or it just would be like Christmas. Jason and I just looked at each other. We didn't think Lauren still believed in Santa, but we could tell she was serious and was really concerned about it.

Jason asked Ashlyn if it would be okay for Rudolph to come in and deliver the presents for Santa. Ashlyn decided that would be okay if Rudolph came in, "BUT NOT SANTA! He can wait on the porch." So, Jason helped Ashlyn write a letter to Santa, asking if he would please send Rudolph in instead. We left the note along with the cookies on the front porch for Santa and the kids went to bed.

Santa left a note back telling the kids that he waited outside and sent Rudolph in to deliver the presents. He apologized for the droppings that Rudolph may have left (unwrapped chocolate bells) and thanked the kids for being so good this year. We giggled like kids and went to bed too.