Christmas Eve + Christmas

We have partied for a few weeks.  Sunday was our Christmas party with the Grandparents at their house.  We ate dinner, and had a program, read the poem that my dad writes every year, and passed out gifts.   So, that leaves us on Christmas Eve with no party to go to.  We have gone to Temple Square in the past years, so we did the same this year.  It is kind of crowded but nothing like you would expect.  It is fun to see the lights, walk around outside, and see the Nativity that is presented on the grounds.  Then we head to In N Out burger.  Its the only place open on Christmas Eve.  This year it was busy.  In years past, we have been there alone.  I guess word is getting out that it is a great place for Christmas Eve.  The best part is we didn't have to cook.  Today I could just hang out and wrap presents.  Mark's family went this year.  They have been in Vegas the previous years so it was fun to have them along.  We did miss Hayden however.  It is Mark's son who is on a mission!

Clemons Family

Clemons kids

Jim and Abi

Waiting for us in the bathroom

The entire family

Michelle gave us this letter C that lights up after our events out!  soo cute.

our Stockings.  They were the stockings Melanie used. so now we use them.

For the past few years, I have given them a gift on Christmas Eve.  It has been Pajama pants for them to wear that night.  We have like 3 pair of pj pants and just didn't need anymore.  So Nick suggested on a whim that maybe we should get blankets.  So that's what I did.  We got blankets.  Nick, Jack and Andrew got Football and Abi and Brooke got a grey design.  I don't even think Nick remembers that he suggested this gift!

While the above slept with their blankets, Santa was at work.

This what it looked like when I went to bed

This is what it looked like when I got up later

When we got up, here are a few highlights of the present unwrapping.  That is Jack with Tom Brady socks.  He is the quarterback for the New England Patriots and Jack LOVES him.

Nick and jack are HUGE football fans.  Nick is wearing a Rob Gronkowski Jersey from the Patriots (he says he has too many Tom Brady jerseys so he wanted a different one) and Nick is wearing Clay Matthews from the Green Bay Packers.  His Bud Stella also loves Green Bay as a side note.  Stella is Marks daughter.

Brooke an Abi in awe at the Jerseys

This is my new favorite wrapping.  I use to love Nordstron boxes, or those blue Tiffany boxes and now I LOVE these gift bags from Charming Charlie.  An Accessory store.  Love them  Always something promising inside.

This is Jim with her Harry Potter socks from Andrew and Abi.

These tubs and from Stella, a Patriots and a Green Bay tin with popcorn.

Jack hugging Nick when he realized we got some game system.  XBox one I think.

This is Andrew.  The only pic i got of him today.  He is in the front.  He wasn't that excited about most presents...clothes and junk.  He got most of his Christmas already.  A new Snowboard and LAX equipment and registration

Brooke and Abi with these emoji pillows....not sure why they got those....Brooke wants the 5.00 that they cost.

Nick in his hooded towel.  Last year there is a joke (read the post from Dec 2014)  Brooke was walking downstairs with a towel on and slipped and the towel came off so Nick was the one standing there so he saw Brooke in her skivvies...Brooke got a velcro towel last year to prevent another accident.  Nick got one this year too!  He is  modeling it.

Toasting the Holiday with sparkling grape juice from Trader Joes.  Jack was not a fan.  Brooke thought it was okay.  I like it too.

We order Chinese food on Christmas.  Here are the remains.  I was too slow on the camera this time

One thing this year was a bit less stressful.  Not sure why, maybe because I seemed to have more money and that takes away tons of stress.  I did discover when there is less stress, the Holiday is way more fun.  Its easier to enjoy the many events that are available because one is not stressed the entire time or very tired like usual.  It was a great Christmas with tons of activities leading up to the holiday.  Love this family of mine!