Christmas Eve

It was a first for us to host family at our house for Christmas!  We were so excited to have a new blanket of snow to make everything beautiful.  Once Katie discovered eating the white stuff she didn't stop.  I think it's her new favorite food.

 It was too powdery to stick together, but Eleanor and Katie managed to make some cute snow blobs. 

 Of course, time with cousins was a huge highlight!  Lilly usually prefers to play with Eleanor, but since she was unavailable - she and Katie had some sweet bonding moments together. 

Our nephew Tyler is just the cutest thing. 

 We started a hair-braiding party and pretty soon everyone was sporting them - even Tyler, who has some spectacular locks for a 10 month old.

 Our efforts at a Nativity presentation were somewhat laughable - but hey, we were having fun.  Eleanor was the angel, Katie was a wise man (she presented her balloon gift on bended knee), Lilly was Mary. 

 Matt, the shepherd, very closely watching his flock by night. 

The kids all enjoyed getting a special video from Santa that highlighted something specific they were working on this year.  Luckily, they were all on the nice list, so there was a lot of anticipation going to bed Christmas Eve.