Christmas Eve 2021

Christmas Eve looked more normal this year as we were able to go to church and host Eric's family afterwards for some food/drinks and gifts.  The kids were really excited to spend time with their family this year and do all of our normal activities.  A part of me missed the quiet of last year when it was just the five of us but last year also helped me to realize that it's okay to downgrade on the preparations and take some of the load off of myself so we kept the food simple and tried to focus on what matters most instead of all of the bells and whistles.

Christmas Eve church service.  Nolan spotted a friend and willingly went up to the front when the kids all gathered around.  Mairin wanted to go but needed her cousin, Olivia, to go with her.  Shortly after I took this picture, Mairin ran back to us and deserted poor Olivia.

Wolfer and Holick crew.

Cookies and milk are out.  The Night Before Christmas has been read and they are ready to go to sleep in anticipation of Christmas morning!

All three decided to sleep in Nolan's room this year.  They did great going to sleep in the evening but they were all awake at 5a.m. which was not great.  We didn't go downstairs that morning until 7:15 but everyone was VERY tired that day.

Crepe paper barricade.  No one gets to see what Santa brought before the others :)