New traditions for Christmas Eve

This year, we actually thought of a couple great new traditions for Christmas Eve. Hallie made a gingerbread house for her party at school this year, so the kids thought it would be fun to start the tradition of making a gingerbread house on Christmas Eve. Haden and I went to Target one day to get candies to put on the top of our graham cracker house and he noticed a gingerbread house kit. He said, "Mom, look. It's a kit and it's only 10 bucks. Let's get that instead." Wise words from a 7-year-old boy. It had everything included to make our house. Had I not bought the kit, our house may not have looked so good.

Jim helped them with the initial structure of the house and then turned them loose to decorate the house. As you can see below, Kenedy and Haden did their share of eating the icing.

A beautiful finished product that they were all proud of and the start of a fun family tradition.

The other family tradition we started this year was picking names among the kids and buying present for each other. They had a lot of fun picking out presents they thought their siblings would like. My family growing up has always opened one present on Christmas Eve. Jim's family did not, so he has had trouble adopting this tradition. So, we decided, Jim was totally outvoted, to have the kids open their presents to each other on Christmas Eve. It was really fun and I think even Jim will let this tradition stand.

Here they are exchanging gifts with one another.

The last thing we did, which we have always done as a family, is to read the Christmas story from Luke 2 and then sing some Christmas carols. My dad had a tape of the Christmas story that he played every year, that we all got a little tired of, but I must admit, I missed it this year. Listening to it along with the music included brings a special spirit that I will always remember throughout my life. I hope that my kids will be able to feel that spirit as they celebrate Christmas every year.

It was really fun to be able to have Kenedy and Hallie able to play the piano to help us with our carols. I played as well and sadly, I am the only one Jim took a picture of. Next time, I'll make sure we get one of Kenedy an Hallie. All in all, we had a wonderful Christmas Eve and I'm thrilled we were able to start some new traditions.

Not much singing going on here. I have a feeling, they were just listening as I tried to play the music and sing along at the same time.

Here's a participant, I think.

I think I'll change my profile picture to this! :)

I thought I would include, as well, a couple of pictures we took of the kids by the Christmas tree. The one with them all on the ladder was supposed to be our Christmas card this year, but we didn't take the picture until last night, so now you can look at it on the blog instead. Merry Christmas everyone!