Christmas Eve

We were lucky enough to spend almost 3 weeks in colorado over christmas! HOORAY! We haven't been to Denver much at all for so long- it was nice to be back on the right side of the mountains!

Anyway, we spent a couple days with my sister and her family and then headed down to Kent's house on christmas eve. Grandpa Kirt and Grandma Anna had a great evening waiting for us! After a FABULOUS dinner (we LOVE french dip- even the boys inhale it!), we were treated to chocolate fondue! We don't fondue nearly enough... so it was a great treat!

We also started a couple new traditions this year, thanks to Kindergarten. Tyse was given some magic reindeer dust at school that you sprinkle on the snow outside and the reindeer find their way to you by seeing it. So after careful instruction, out the boys went to sprinkle. We also sprinkled some reindeer food on the sidewalk outside for extra lure.

Ollie sprinkling reindeer dust

Tyse and Emitt covering the walk with reindeer food

While we were outside, Emitt kept thinking he saw reindeer in the sky... of course. At one point, he even convinced Ollie and they were on a mission to convince us all... here is ollie pointing it out.After the yard was properly prepared, we came in and opened the traditional elf gifts and had the christmas eve picture taken. Notice that not all of our family was feeling all that jolly...

Then we read the christmas story, teamed up with some carols and it was off to bed for the little ones! We once again had an extrememly easy time getting them to go to bed! I thought they would be up for hours and coming in a lot- but they went right to bed- not to be heard from again until we WOKE THEM UP at 8:30 Christmas Morning!

Kent and I started a new tradition for ourselves- a late night trip to 7-11 for whatever was previously forgotten and for a great cup of convenience store hot chocolate with flavored creamer- one of my favorite things! Hopefully we will always have company on christmas eve so we can indulge in this little post bedtime tradition!