Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was so much fun this year.  We started by meeting Michael's mom and brother, who had just flown in from Virginia, for lunch.  Marilyn had picked Craig up from the airport and we met them at Jason's Deli before they headed to Searcy.  Craig hadn't met Harper yet so he got to meet her for the first time.  He is about to get married on January 7th and we can't wait.  So excited for him and Tiffany.

Next, my parents drove down since they didn't have Christmas plans this year and Lindsay was already here and on her break from school.  We decorated Eden's gingerbread house, played games, made gumbo and cheese grits for dinner, drove around to see Christmas lights, and opened gifts.  It was a full afternoon and night.

Mom trying to ice the gingerbread house.  She struggled a little bit and we got a good laugh out of dad piping better than mom;)

 Eden putting on the candy decorations.

 The finished product.

 This was hilarious.  If you look close you can see while I'm taking pictures of it the roof starting to slide off.  I think the big balls on it were a bit heavy.

 Still falling.....

And collapse.  It was so funny.  Dad and I restored the house and it finally held.

The Benton square has some cute scenes put up around it and Eden wanted to get out and see them all.  Notice she is wearing her gown with leggings.  Ha;)

She liked the polar bears.

She loved the nativity scene since she was a part of the one at her school as the angel.

Eden putting out her reindeer food so they will find her house and then get a snack.

Christmas Eve we decided to go ahead and open our gifts so Sunday morning wouldn't be so rushed and we could make it to church.

Eden waiting patiently for everyone to get ready.

She got a harmonica from her daddy.  She loves blowing that thing.  It should have come with ear plugs too=)

Some Toms that Michael picked out for her.

Thank you Aunt Terry for the books for the girls.  They love them!

Eden holding up her new Belle ornament.

This is her new doll, Juliana, that Harper got for Eden.  She was so excited that Harper had picked out a gift for her.  She LOVED it!  She also loved the LeapPad we gave her.  She hasn't hardly put it down.  I'm so glad she likes it.

Eden and I during the opening of presents.

Michael with the girls.

I wanted to show this picture because the little doll that Harper is holding onto was from Eden and she was thrilled that Harper was holding it and not letting it go.  It was so sweet.  I think they picked out perfect gifts for each other.

After the gifts, Eden set out the milk and cookies for Santa and then went to bed.  Santa made a stop after making sure the girls were both really asleep.