December 2013: Christmas Eve

We always host Christmas Eve at our house and then go to my parents' for Christmas Day.

 

This is the second year we've done a Dollar Store gift exchange on Christmas Eve. 
It's actually really fun to see what people come up with for $1.

 

Natalie picked out this lovely princess crown and was so happy when Grandpa got it.  He "accidently" left it at our house that night and Natalie made sure to bring it to him the next day. 

 

We always have a very casual program where anyone who wants to can share music or a story or whatever.

 

We've never acted out the Nativity until this year.  I'm not really sure why we didn't but it will definitely be a tradition from now on.  It really made the night and brought the focus to what we have been trying to celebrate all season.  Natalie, who is usually silly and bouncing all over the place, took her role as Mary quite seriously.  It was sweet to see her being gentle with the "baby Jesus" and quietly act out her part.

Earlier in the day on Christmas Eve I called up to my parents' house and told my sister to tell my Mom that if she had a few costumes we could use to go ahead and bring them but not to stress too much about it.  My Mom showed up with an entire rack of costumes...no big deal, she said.  She loves costumes and has made or collected MANY pieces from many different genres and time periods.