Christmas Eve

We were SO lucky to have my parents and Grandma Bingham for Christmas. It made my whole year!!! They came on Christmas Eve so they got to participate in the festivities from beginning to end. My only regret is I wasn't very good at getting many pictures. . . . I get too wrapped up in what's happening that I forget :(.

We always have homemade Chinese food for Christmas Eve dinner. This year we had Kung Pao Chicken, Beef Benihana, Tiny Spicy Chicken, rice and Egg Rolls (just got those from Costco). We use traditional Chinese dishes and chopsticks. It is a meal we all look forward to even though it is so much work to pull off. So yummy! And it was fun to share it with guests this year.

Then we reenact the nativity. It always seems to be a bit more comedic than serious, but hopefully the memories count towards something! Top left picture: Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem on a trusty (and incredibly awesome) donkey; the angel is waiting in the wings. Top right: Joseph, and shepherds (Mary, being so young and irresponsible left the scene leaving all the newborn care to Joseph) Bottom left: The three (and one adopted) wisemen pointing to the star; Bottom right: Our very sweet angelic angel, Grandma Bingham; The efficient narrator (Cache) was somehow dismissed from all photos--he didn't complain at all! After the Nativity, the kids open one gift. . . their ornament. We always get them a Hallmark ornament that has something to do with the previous year's activities or events. (So Chandler got a football player since he played flag football this year.) Then it is off to bed for the kids and the adults get to work . . . extra help this year was MUCH appreciated since we hadn't wrapped much because all of it was in the attic. And my dad worked on a trap. (pictures of that in another post). Such good memories I'll keep forever!