A Traditional Christmas

I'm one of those people that likes things to be the same year after year.  We always celebrate Christmas exactly the same way and all of our activities follow the same order.  The kids are fond of our traditions and we like the consistency of them.  

First is the traditional Christmas Eve buffet:

Food is followed by our Nativity program, which would not be complete without angel chimes.

Then it's time to open Christmas pajamas.

And then we cuddle up on the couch to watch The Little Drummer Boy.

Once the children are nestled all snug in their wee little beds, Santa sets out some goodies.

Jon and I feel lucky to have sleeper-inners, so our Christmas morning never begins too early.  After the stockings have been opened, we take our time eating a yummy Christmas breakfast.

Finally, it's time for presents.  My mom always wraps her in a clever way:

It wouldn't feel right if Caleb didn't get at least one BYU gift.

The girls tried to throw Caleb off by wrapping a Subway gift card in a big box weighted down with lots of books. 

If you know Natalie, you know she has an intense love affair with claw machines.  She also has an uncanny ability to win.  Every. Time.  I mean, it's really unbelievable. You can tell by the look on her face how she feels about getting her very own candy claw machine.

We were so excited for Grandma and Grandpa to open their gift from us.  It was a clue for an Amazing Race that would start the next morning.

We enjoyed a lazy day in pajamas, a trip to the movies and later, a traditional Christmas dinner.  All was exactly as it always is and exactly as it should be.

Merry Christmas!