Ben’s first day of vacation we made Christmas cookies! We had to split it up into two days (cut out and bake first, then frost the second).

Cassidy made sure to get several Christmas duckies in there :D

Daddy was a huge help, taste tester.

Cookies for us and to share with neighbors!

We went to our church’s Christmas Eve service on Sunday morning.

The kids sung a super cute “Go tell it on the mountain” along with a “Mary did you know?” dance. During practice Cassidy started crying, so it was up in the air how she’d do with the actual performance. That morning she got right up there and was clapping and singing with a smile though!

The Christmas message, we have hope in the darkness.

We had Christmas dinner by candle light in our jammies. Andy’s dad modified this cute little table to fit in our new kitchen. The kids enjoyed their “christmas punch” in wine glasses (ginger ale, cran-raspberry juice, raspberry sherbet and frozen raspberries).

Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Quiet Christmas morning before the kids got up!

Best faces! :)

Reading the Christmas story before presents.

New jammies!

Ben and Andy received Battleship. When I asked how the game was going Andy replied “There’s something seriously wrong with Ben’s fleet” – haha, we think he wasn’t *quite* getting it, or mixing up his top and bottom playing fields.

The kitties are so thoughtful! It was actually a new camera bag from Andy!

Icy, beautiful, freezing Christmas day!

We enjoyed a quiet afternoon, snuggled up on the couch. We just watched A Muppet Christmas Carol and are now moving on to The Empire Strikes Back :)

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family, whether we get to spend time with you this season or not, we love you!