Christmas Eve Preparation

Christmas Eve is truly one of my most favorite days of the year.  I love the wonderment that the birth of Jesus brings.  Advent is my favorite season and Catherine Ellis is finally old enough to start to understand the significance. Faith through a child's eyes is such a joy.

We did have a huge scare the night before Christmas Eve - my mother had another TIA (mini stroke) - her second in 15 months. I rushed home to be with her and thanks be to God she is better and better every day. We've gotten her in to see a neurologist at UAB this Friday and are hopeful we can start figuring out why these TIA's are happening.  Please keep her in your prayers.  Andrew and Kim came to stay with her Christmas Eve night so I could be home with David and the girls for church and Santa - it was hard to leave, but it was also a treat to be with my family.

The Christmas pageant at St. Mary's is at 4:00 on Christmas Eve and it's the highlight of the day!  Caroline still isn't old enough to participate, but Catherine Ellis was a participant for the second year (last year she was a star) as a lamb.  It's always so magical!

Our little lamb

Mesmerized

Heading to see baby Jesus with the shepherds

We hurried home to bake cookies for Santa, throw reindeer food out for his reindeer and leave cheese for his mouse (who knew?!?).  UPS arrived as soon as we got home with a package for the girls from Joey and Lauren that was full of gingerbread mix, icing, sprinkles and cookie cutters!  Perfect for making cookies for Santa!

 Thank you Joey and Lauren!

 Catherine Ellis leaving cheese for Santa's Mouse

 Spreading lots of reindeer food!

 So excited about leaving cookies and milk for Santa!

 Sweet sisters!

Santa worked hard in his workshop and was so thankful for the yummie cookies and milk!

 Working hard

 Santa's loot for the girls - three gifts each and two shared gifts