Christmas Eve in Sonora

Christmas Eve in Sonora has been a tradition for many years.  Me and Mike headed out on Monday night so we could spend the night in Sonora and wake up at Christmas Eve at my mom and dad's house.  The boys loved the extra time in Sonora and could barely contain the excitement of Christmas Eve.

To add to the excitement.....random snow!  We just looked out the window and it started snowing, and than it came heavier and lasted for a little while.  It turned the ground and roofs white.  It was a great addition to make it feel like Christmas.

I love my parents wood burning fireplace.  this is my favorite spot in their house

Tree and presents are ready for our Christmas Eve celebration!!

Mike got off work early and came out to Sonora.  He loved the extra time to spend with the boys.

Bathtime at Grandma's is the best.  She gives the best baths, the boys will NOT let me help.  They only want their Grandma to give them a bath.

Alex eating his dairy free cupcake

cartoon time waiting on the girls to arrive

Christmas Eve attire - Thanks Mike

I found these Team Santa shirts at Carters in Fayetteville. The boys loved wearing them through the season.  I thought they'd be fun to wear to open gifts in Sonora.

oh my, I'm not sure where he came up with this

2nd Annual Grand kid Shelby Lynn's cake

Grandma's elves brought all 5 kids reindeer food!!  

Mary Frannie arrived....Alex is in his happy place

Stocking time!!!
Since I was little I got a stocking from my parents.....and they have continued the tradition even for the grandkids.  So on Christmas Eve morning the first thing we do is open stockings from Grandma and Grandpa.  This year they had 13 stockings!  My mom and dad getting a few surprises too.  The kids have so much fun and believe me, so do us big kids.  There are always some fun surprises in there, and this year mom outdid herself.  They are so much fun, and so much thought goes into them for each kid.  It was a great year, we are really blessed.

Stockings were done, time for a break than to exchange presents.
We had Mary Frannie read the story of Christmas and Jesus's birth.  I was pretty impressed with her reading skills.  It was an entire page typed, and she read it great.  The kids listened closely to the story.

One of Mary Frannie's first gifts was her bike helmet.  Pink of course.  She loved it

Alex got Batman raincoat, umbrella, and rain boots.  

Please let it rain soon, isn't this adorable??

Of course Alex needed to help Aunt Kell with her gifts

Mary Frannie's turn for a gift

what could it be??

WHITE FURRY BOOTS!!!!  One of her many quotes..."I've waited since February for these"  She also squeeled really high

Max got a Transformer!!!

Mary Frannie, happy as can be in her new boots

Alex helping uncle Todd

Mabry LOVED her new pink thing from Grandma.  I'm not sure what it is, a Ty dog with big eyes?  so cute though

Max opening up his lifesize batman doll

mom got a beautiful red pottery barn platter from Jennie and Todd and the girls

Laney and Grandpa opening a gift

a lalaoopsy!!!

alex had fun opening

me and mike taking it all in on the couch

Mom getting ready to open her big gift....

a mousepad

a calendar and book

a pillow

a new table runner

Max playing with his marshmellow gun from The Wagner's.  Thank you miss Mabel....I think

Mabry's big gift - her very own American girl doll

Kelley hands Mary Frannie her big gift

a new American girl doll!!!!

Alex's big gift...a dino scooter

Laney got a new bike!!!  a big girl bike!!

I didn't get a picture of Max opening his - he got a big green gun, he loves it.

Another tradition on Christmas Eve is when all of the family gets dressed up and attends Christmas Eve service at our church. We attended the 5:30 service this year.  We all got dressed and took a few pictures in front of the fireplace.

are my boys handsome or what?

Children at Children's church, Christmas Eve service

Children at Children's church, Christmas Eve service

After Church, we headed home so we could do some Christmas Eve Traditions and go to bed so Santa can come!!!

Cookies and milk for Santa

Reindeer food

A big Thank you to my parents for making it just a great Christmas for everyone this year. They went above and beyond.  Everything ran so smoothly this year. The food was delicious.  Mom went to so much work making everything just perfect.  The kids behaved and had so much fun.  Mom and Dad put so much thought into the day and all of our gifts this year, it was so thoughtful.  Wonderful Christmas Eve memories in Sonora.  So thankful for such a great family and that I live close enough to them to experience it not only on Christmas Eve but all year long.