Christmastime is Here {Christmas Eve}

Christmas Eve with the Blanchards started a bit earlier than we originally had scheduled due to some nasty weather that was supposed to roll in that afternoon/evening that we didn't want to have to deal with on our way home.  So we gathered in South Jordan around 10:30, and started our party with a lunch of the traditional Christmas Eve feast: clam chowder or oyster stew, cold cut sandwiches, chicken nuggets, egg rolls, chips and dip, and shrimp with cocktail sauce.  Mmm-mmm.

Heather and Scott and the boys then rushed off to pick up their new Christmas Eve kitty that had to be picked up by one.  They brought little Bronx to hang out for the rest of the party.  He was certainly a hit with everyone, not the least of which his new owners!

Then we opened presents and stockings.  We gave Kage and Dray cereal.  I don't know if they are really that impressed, but Cal was excited to pick out the most random flavors and wrap them up for her cousins.

Sam opening some little board books from grandpa and grandma.

I love the stockings Kim has made for everyone in the family!

Callie was got to peek first.

Checkin' out the loot.

Grandpa and Grandma with the Utah half of their grandkids.

Next came the nativity.  A highlight for sure.  Even if it's short and sweet.  By the way Callie was acting the night of Christmas Eve Eve, you would have thought the next day was Christmas Day.  She couldn't fall asleep because she was planning out who everyone was going to represent in our nativity play, as well as what they'd be wearing and where they'd be standing ("maybe grandpa can make a stable inside?").  She made a list in her head of the order of events for the day and was just so excited and so stinkin' cute!

Mary and Baby Jesus.
(I wondered aloud if it was sacrilegious to use Minnie
for such an important part, and Gregg said that
Min is such a beloved member of Callie's life,
who better to represent the Baby Jesus?)

Grandma was the single lucky adult who got to dress up and act
with the kids.

The cast: Shepherd Dray, Callie Mary, Samwiseman
(bearing gifts of partially eaten chicken nugget and
a new shovel), and Kage Joseph

Sam was asleep for most of the present opening
earlier, so he had a chance to open his gift from
the Wihongis after the play.

It's a toy that makes noise and he was LOVING
it!

All cozied up in their new Open Christmas Eve Jammies.
(Sam giggled all the way home at those goofy monsters
who were wiggling and smiling at him in his seat.)

And it's time to say goodbye before the snow flies.

We got home safe and sound and ahead of the storm, and with time before the kiddos had to be in bed to get the Christmas morning sweet rolls started.  I couldn't wait for Sam to open his little apron so he could wear it while we all "worked" together.

I think he likes it.  ;)  And I like him.

Then it was off to beddy-by.  Cal had such a fun-filled day, with anticipation for more to come, I thought for sure she'd take forever to fall asleep.  But I think she was worn out because she didn't put up much of a fight at all.  She fell right asleep with visions of sugarplums dancing in her head, I'm sure.