Christmas Eve Traditions!

Ok...now if you look at these pictures closely, you will see TONS of presents. You may wonder why these presents were given on Christmas Eve. Well, that explanation is two-fold. My family hosts Christmas Day Dinner for the entire Moody family (Dad's). My Mom works the entire day to cook all of the food for this wonderful feast. So, we decided to give her a break from rushing through presents & enjoy some of them the day before. The other reason is because my brother LOVES present time. He is such a gift giver & can't stand the wait. So, we decided years ago that everyone would exchange presents on Christmas Eve. Siblings, husbands & wives, children to parents, etc. Dad & Mom would always give each of us a pair of pajamas on Christmas Eve & that was it. Then, on Christmas morning we would only open the rest of the gifts from Dad & Mom & Josiah would also open gifts from his Dad & Mom. So, we get to celebrate two days in a row.

The festivities began with Josiah, of course.

He was so excited because he had Frosty the Snowman wrapping paper. I think he thought the paper was the gifts. He was so excited to go from box to box to box.

Granddaddy & Grandma gave Josiah him a pair of pajamas & Chris bought all of the rest of these toys for Josiah. Yes, he was spoiled rotten by his Uncle Chris.

Then, Dustin & I began to open our presents.

I received an iPod & an iPod docking station from Chris!!! WOW! Shocker!!!

Then, Dustin opened his presents & he got an X-Box 360. Can you believe he did all that for us??

We were both spoiled rotten...just look at the loot.

After gifts were opened & naps were taken, we headed out to Outback for dinner.

That has also become a nice Christmas tradition.

After all day in the kitchen prepping for the next day, we treat Mom by taking her out of the house to a nice meal SHE doesn't have to cook.

Once we return back to the house, we all sit in the living room to hear the Christmas story read from the Bible. That was always my Dad's job, but since we have a little one, he passed the torch to Dustin. We read this year from Josiah's new Bible.

Then, Chris hops on the piano bench & we sing Christmas Carols until either we are sung out, bath time arrives or Chris' fingers hurt. This year I think they all three came about the same time. What a wonderful Christmas Eve that will be remembered forever.