Christmas Eve

It started off with a very brave Joanna and James helping the kids make cookies for Santa.

An activity like that is not for the faint of heart.

The kids had a blast.

James and Joanna? Not so sure.

Then, after much craziness, it was time for the Nativity reenactment:

Starring Jacob as the Bedouin robber who tries to rob the happy couple:

(this was before Mom yelled at him to take it off and give the costume pieces to the kids)

Seth, as a very enthusiastic Wise Man.

He was offered the role of Joseph, but turned it down. 

Jocelyn as the always-perfect Mary,

Megan as a Wise Woman,

and Chubby Evan as Jesus: 

And Catherine, as the Angel (with the assistance of Uncle James): 

The play was in a much better state that two years ago when Seth and Rebekah were running around like crazies and messing everything up. This time it was very sweet to see how reverently Seth treated the whole process:

Presenting Baby Jesus with gold

(by "presenting" I mean "setting gently on his face")

Christmas Eve ended with a little bit of this: 

Babies jumping on the bed.

"Mommy, take a picture of me jumping HIGH!"

Done: 

After opening Christmas Eve pajamas (and cars for Seth, toys for Catherine), we sent them to bed.

Then we spent our Christmas Eve playing awesome games with awesome Joanna: