Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve with the Jackson Family

 

We were lucky to have Christmas Eve with the Jackson family on the Sunday before Christmas this year.  It was so nice to spend time with family, get the cousins together and celebrate with both sides of our families.

 

We had a delicious dinner followed by the cousins doing the nativity.  I love watching their faces as they watch the video of Jesus Christ.

 All the cousins minus Crew and Elizabeth who were not cooperating. :)

 These two adore each other.

 And lucky us, Santa came for another visit this year!  He was so kind and brought all kinds of treats!

 After Santa's visit, the cousins were very excited for the cousin-gift-exchange.  Everyone was so generous and thoughtful this year.  We were all very spoiled.

Christmas Eve with the Kober Family
 

I love our traditions we have at my parent's home.  From the candlelit dinner, to the blowing out of the candles and the kids doing the nativity.  It all brings me such joy.

 

We started off the evening with a delicious dinner.  Look at all those beautiful girls!  After dinner was over, we each, all 29 of us, took turns expressing our gratitude, our testimonies and our love.  This is probably the most special moment of the evening filled with such a strong spirit.

 We enjoyed Kimber playing Christmas songs on the piano, Jason playing his saxophone and Katie playing the flute.  The kids performed the nativity while reading it out of the scriptures.  Crew was so cute and saw the reverence of the moment and went and sat so quietly by baby Jesus with his hands folded the whole time.  It was the cutest thing ever. 

 Afterwards we had the biggest surprise of the night!  Santa visited!  We even heard the reindeer land on the roof.  We were all so surprised and so excited that he came to visit OUR family on such a busy night.  He brought everyone brand new pajamas and we sang him our favorite Christmas carols.  So much fun!

It was such a great evening to be with family, feel the love of our Savior and enjoy all the blessings that Christmas reminds us of.