Twas the Night Before Christmas

We went to church with Jared's parents, Andrew and Maria this year. 

 

Lila was thankful that her sweet uncle offered to walk her and brother down to the front of the church.  They got to listen to the pastor tell the Christmas story and had a front row seat for it. Score!

 

We were thankful to be able to spend this special night with some of our family.  Cameron won the award for "Loudest Baby in Church," but she was happy the whole time.  Just chatty. 
Oh, so chatty.

 

This little girl might be our most mischievous child yet--look closely...she's pulling her brother's hair during our family picture.  Stinker!

 

 

Aunt Maria had to work the next day, so we were very happy to be able to see her that night.  Like Lila said, "someone needs to take care of those little babies, mom."  We're glad that Aunt Maria was the one taking good care of them, but we missed her on Christmas Day.

 

After church, we had dinner at home--just us five.  The kids were beyond excited--ONLY 1 MORE DAY TILL CHRISTMAS!!! 

They were crazy with anticipation, and I was beginning to wonder if we'd ever get them to sleep.

We still had a few more things to do, though, like let everyone open one gift.  Jackson asked if he could give us the presents that he'd bought at his school store, with his own money. 
He gave Cami this Longhorns bib...

Dad got a "World's Best Dad" mug, and I got a pink picture frame that said "I love Mom."  Love that kid.  He got Lila something, too, but she asked to open a different gift that night. 

After we opened our presents, it was time to feed the reindeer.  Ready, set....

go!  Lila took the left side of the yard...

and Jackson took the right.  They finished in about a minute and we ran back inside where it was warm!

A few minutes later they were all in their Christmas jammies and getting ready for bed.

We couldn't go to bed without putting out some good cookies for Santa, though.  "Should we eat these or leave them for Santa?"  They made the right call.

Daddy read them two bedtime stories and then tucked them into bed.  They were fast asleep before we knew it.  Everyone slept so good that night--even Baby Cami! 

Stay tuned for highlights from Christmas 2014!