Christmas Eve & Christmas Morning

We attended a 5:00 Christmas Eve service at a Lutheran church in our town.  We've tried this church a couple times now and are seeming to like it, but we might try out a few more in the coming new year.  After the service, we went to my sister, Stacy's house for dinner.  After that, we came home and did our usual Christmas Eve traditions of the Advent wreath celebration, putting milk and cookies out for Santa, and reading "The Night Before Christmas".  We moved Hailey's bed into Clara's room for a special sleepover, which presented a bit of a challenge in trying to get them to go to sleep, but they loved it!  Hailey was the first to wake up on Christmas morning at 6:45.  She swore she heard the reindeer prancing on the roof and thought we should be quiet because Santa may still be at our house.  Hailey then woke Clara up with a "Wake up, Clara! Santa's been here!"  There was no protesting on Clara's part!  She got right up!  When the girls got downstairs, they noticed that a button from Santa's suit had fallen off onto the floor near their presents.  Hailey was so excited saying that she was hoping Santa would leave her a special gift.  Clara was concerned about getting it back to him, but I assured her that Mrs. Claus probably has several other buttons she can sew back onto his suit.

Ready for church!

Opening a gift from Mommy and Daddy.

Her gift from Clara.

Her gift from Hailey.

Hailey made this gift bag (that contained a handmade ornament) at school for Brian and I.  To me, these are the best gifts ever!