First Eve as 5

 My mother and siblings came to celebrate Christmas Eve this year.  We hosted it here in Greenville and it was pretty simple.  Our original intention was to do a 'Chinese Food' kind of night  but we wound up just getting a mess of pizzas with various toppings and making it even easier.  It was nice to not have to travel anywhere and have the kids in their own child proofed environment.  Matt and I were able to relax and enjoy instead of the on the go feeling when we are not in our own territory.

Mimi came early and surprised us.  She showered the kids with thoughtful gifts.  2 being the biggest, brightest hairy beanbags Ive ever seen.  At first when I saw them I had thought she had officially gone mad, but they have grown on me and the kids go nuts on them. They fit in great with the rest of the playhouses and tunnels that have multiplied and taken over our home.

The boys are enjoying some pretty fun boy toys from Uncle Ty and Lori. We were getting tired of all the girly pink stuff so this is so refreshing.  Everything makes so much noise though.  I look forward to a time when my siblings have children.  I am going to hook those kids up with the most ridiculously loud and obnoxious toys I can find.  Payback folks..

All these pictures are out of order and to be honest we didn't get all that many great ones during any of the holiday festivities.  Manning 3 kids makes documenting incredibly tricky.  This is Mimi being a bad role model and playing on top of the coffee table.  Something with coffee tables in this family.  During most all gatherings someone ends up on top of it for some reason or another.

Doesn't someone look so handsome.  From his stance you can see he has been eating well for the past year.  Haha.  Those ties were fashioned last minute the night before out of one of Daddy's old ties.  I swear it was a conspiracy or something because NO stores were selling kids ties anywhere. Luckily I was able to think quick and had 2 fresh new onesies available.

Have no idea what makes this kid tick but he is always so funny.  He thinks everything is a riot.  All you have to do is call his name and he goes nuts.  Maybe he knows how dorky he looks and is embracing it with a healthy dose of humor.

Uncle Matt and Drew messing around.  This was taken after he put Drew in a gift bag and attempted to carry him around the house.  Short story...it didn't work.

I have no clue.  Being with my family brings out a weird side of myself.  I guess this is the real me.

Sitting down to do what we do best.  Eat.  I love family shots around the table because every year it grows bigger and bigger.

Wrestle-mania Christmas Eve style. Men are so rough.  The kids love it.

Meet Lori...Ty's girlfriend.  She is a pretty good sport and fits in pretty well , scary enough as that sounds. She doesn't always look like this.  Mom got Ty a helmet for Christmas 

( thank God).

Much better.  Kids love Aunts and Uncles.  Not sure why its so hard to get them all to cooperate for a family picture with us, but they act like little angels with everyone else.

All dressed up and ready to go.  We all loaded up and headed to GNBC's Christmas Eve service. Looking our best to worship the New Born King! A Savior is born!

Mimi and her love bug.  Doesn't she look so beautiful ( Mom , you're cute too...).  This gown was her cousin Jades 6 years ago.  Time is flying!

A wonderful night to celebrate a beautiful day in history.  We love our family and we are eternally grateful to God for all that He has done for us.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Isaiah 9:6