Christmas Eve

We celebrate the Waite Family Christmas on Christmas Eve. We don't have a fancy sit down with linens, kind of gathering but we do enjoy eachother's company and everyone is comfortable. No dress code, well you do have to be dressed. Gotta talk to mom about that one, a belt. Haha. Had to toss that one in, mom. There are 5 children and 11 adults that squeeze into our single floor ranch. We eat, talk, read the Christmas story and open presents. Dustin was such a great helper getting the house ready. From the time we got up to the time the company arrived he was moving tables, cleaning chairs, vacuming. Kamden even kept busy.
We rotate who prepares the main dish, usually pasta, and who is in charge of the other pieces. We draw names for the adults and it is fun to see who has drawn who and what they came up with for their "secret santa". I am so thankful for the thankfulness that comes from the small group of children that is here. We don't hear any child say, "that's it" or "ohhh." They are each so thankful for the small amount of gifts that they receive. Even the box that the gifts came in was fun.We don't have our children make a Christmas List. I feel that that only sets them up for "I wants" and for ungratefullness. It was so nice to get such a rewarding hug from my nephew, Brian, for the hand decorated sheets that I made for him. Without my knowledge, the boys did not have any sheets on their new beds. So they were so thankful for their football sheets Auntie made. Love you guys.

Kamden liked his hooded, Tigger towel with tail they gave him.

Sklyar and Kamden enjoying some time with Papa.

Dustin and Skylar got fishing poles to use at Nana and Papa's. That is where they fish.
Once the house is cleared of guests and cleaned, Adam and I finish up the evening by laying out the gifts and stockings for Christmas day. Though I was not going to intentionally try to remember my "mother of the year moment" for a second year in a row, I felt that it was only right to recall it how it was. These are the stockings we laid out.

Sorry, Kamden, mommy is still working on yours. See, I made each child's stocking from scratch the year they were born. Last year a mouse got ahold of Skylar's and I did get around to sewing a purple patch on it this year. Kamden did have the fabric for his last year. And did have the shape of his and the heel and toe this year but it is two separate pieces even now on Jan. 3 as I write this post. Hey, I do try and I promise to have it made by the time you can read this. I better get going, because if you read as early as the other two, I only have about 2 years left.

One of the best parts for my children is not only seeing the family, but also that Sydney gets to come and stay overnight. Though no dogs are allowed on the couch I did snap a couple quick pictures Chrismas morning of her and the kids.