Christmas Eve...

Growing up in my family Christmas Eve consisted of dinner, a talent show, (some gift shaking - shame on you dad!) the reading of the Christmas story, and getting treats out for Santa and Rudolph.  Then we would head off to bed excited and knowing that we would only sleep off and on - but enough for Santa to come.  One year my dad told us that we had to wait until (I think it was) 6:00am to get up.  My eyes popped open before that time (I think my clock read 4:10 or so). As I was laying in my bed, I would watch my clock (I had one with a second hand.) and see how long I could hold my breath - just to past the time.  It dawned on me as I was watching my clock and listening to the chimes of the Grandfather clock downstairs that when my clock said 5:00am, there just happened to be 6 chimes from the grandfather clock.  Hmmm - my dad thinks he's tricky!

Anyway, the past couple of years we have had the Koschene family over for Christmas Eve and have carried on some of those same traditions.

Dinner - brown sugar ham, pineapple casserole, potato casserole, asparagus, green beans, rolls, strawberry pretzel salad and yummy desserts!

Getting ready for the talent show.

I think this was Paul's reaction when asked what talent he was sharing! :)  Next year, Paul and Layne, next year!

(I'm not sure what Mary and Karlee are doing here but, I thought it was a funny picture!)

Kavan started off the show by singing Mary had a Little Lamb while doing a headstand.  (I had told Kavan that one Christmas Eve growing up we were "razzing" my dad about not sharing a talent.  My dad proceeded to let us know that he had a talent - he performed a headstand.  So, Kavan had to be like Grandpa!)

 Miss Karlee played the piano.

Kenzie and Kyler played a bassoon and flute duet.

 Bryant played the saxophone.

Zach played the saxophone.

Kenzie had asked if I would play a Christmas duet with her and we did.  I cannot hold my breath for as long as I use to.  We also played a piano duet - my fingers hold up better than my breath!  :)

Then we had a fun gift exchange.

The Koschene's are awesome friends.  We love them and had such a great time!

Time to set out treats for Rudolph and Santa.  (Notice Kyler still has his hat on - good job, Mary!)

Waiting for Santa....



Christmas Parties!

Jana's annual "Gingerbread Man Decorating" party...

Bryant made a sandwich out of his cookies.  Maybe it was a little over the top - he had a hard time eating it! :)

Who had the best cookies?!?

Then it was time for the annual "Mitchell Christmas Party!"

PIZZA!!!!!

Having fun while waiting for the yummy pizza to cook!

I'm so thankful for uncles!!!

Pizza Time!  So YUMMY!!!! 

Time for the reading of the Christmas Story...
This is always special!  And it is fun to think about years past and how much the kids have grown!  Not to mention how much our family has grown in numbers!

Getting Ready!

Eliza!

Karlee was so excited to be the Angel!





Look how Karlee is still holding her pose! :)  So fun!

Santa left a secret bag of goodies while we were singing Christmas carols!  Every year the kids try to figure out how the bag gets there.  It must be Santa Magic!!! :)

We draw names every year for our fun gift exchange!

That silly boy!

Love this picture!!!

Kenzie and Samantha loved their new bags!



Can't you just feel the love?!?



We always have such a great time together!  And make so many fun memories!

December Fun!

So the first weekend of December got Christmas going right away with the Grovetown Christmas tree lighting!  It was cold but Kenzie was still excited to go and help usher in the Christmas season with the band!

The same weekend was Linda's (my mother-in-law) annual Christmas Open House.  The open house is always so much fun and I even had repeat customers with my jewelry sales this year!  I actually took some really fun pictures so you could see all the goodies that were for sale this year...but we cannot locate those pictures.  Anyway, Linda had candles, soap, pottery, and vinyl.  April had wellness bags and super cute aprons.  Jana and Samantha had cute burp cloths, hair clips, reindeer food, and trail mix.  McKenzie had diaper straps and I had my jewelry!  We also went out for our dessert again this year and it was so great - Samantha got our conversations started with the question, "What is your most embarrassing moment?" !!!!  Oh, the things we shared!

We then took a Monday night to enjoy Lights of the South with Kirk and Tyler's families!  It was so cold but so fun and beautiful!!  I also had some great pictures of this night that have been lost - bummer!  But I do have the "Santa Picture!"

 
While I was at the open house, Layne and the kids got lights up outside and the tree up.  So, when I got home it was time to do the inside decorating.  It's fun to watch the kids remember the ornaments - the stories behind the ornaments - or how old they were when they made some of the ornaments!

The next weekend we headed to Athens for UGA's middle school honor band festival.  Mckenzie and and my nephew, Collin, were both invited this year and it was so fun!  The music they put together in such a short amount of time is A.MA.ZING!  What a great experience!

McKenzie's band director was from our area!

Cute!

So much fun already!