It is a tradition in our family that every Christmas Eve we have a big Turkey dinner. Even Jordan helped out in the kitchen!!! 
Mom sets the table with her best China! We have an adult table and a kid table. 
(Jordan was super excited this year - because she was able to sit at the adult table. She got to be Donny's date for the night.) 
The kids loved having their "private" table and were super excited to eat their yummy food and get on with the night! Before we eat, we have always gone around the table lighting candles and each person shares what they are grateful for! This is one of my favorite traditions. Sometimes we don't always take the time to thank those around us and let them know how we truly feel. This is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the past year and realize how blessed we truly are! 
Thanks mom and dad for such a special Christmas dinner! I know it takes most of the day to plan and prepare the meal, but I really appreciate it and I know my kids do too! After we eat and clean up dinner, it always seems like picture time!!! Everyone in front of the tree!!! 
This is my family....dad, Kristen, mom, me, and Donny. Kelsey we really missed you this year, and of course Katie is always in our thoughts. We know she wasn't there physically, but we know she was with us! Here is Grandma with the girls!!
And Grandpa with the boys!! Looks like we are out numbered ladies!!
Donny and Jordan love to mess around!!
Have you ever seen cuter elves????
Next the program begins!!Ideally, everyone contributes to the program. Each family, grandma, grandpa, kids, EVERYONE! The Bloomfields sang Silent Night and Parker did a great job signing the song. The Peterson's sang Jingle Bells with balloons....(Rick even wore his Awesome sweater - one last time!) 
What a great guy I am married too!!
The guys played their yearly songs on the untuned mini piano's. 
This is always hilarious because I'm not sure they have figured out how terrible they sound. They are just worried about playing the right notes. 
Donny performed an awesome song and dance to the song that fits him perfectly while wearing his Christmas outfit...."I'm Too Sexy!" He is quite the dancer!!! Jordan did a great job signing "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" while the rest of us sang. 
We can tell she is actually paying attention in her sign language class! Finally, Grandpa read the Christmas story from the scriptures followed by an awesome video. The Family Program is always a favorite of mine!!!Next comes opening all the presents under the tree. These are the presents from cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents! Paige was super excited to get her madgab game from Grandma and Grandpa. She also loved her very own makeup from Kristen and Shane!!
The boys love playing with their Spy Gear! They loved the gifts from Kelsey and Mike. 
Do I need to even explain why Jordan LOVES this gift! It is already hanging up on her wall, along with 3 other posters of the beloved Jacob!
The kids also get to open their Christmas Jammies!!! (another tradition) 
I loved this years jammies!!! Holiday smiley faces!Even Grandpa had his "personal" jammies on! Looks like this year it is THE GRINCH! 
The night ended with the kids checking on the Santa Tracker where Santa was....he was already in Georgia, so they ran up the stairs and straight to bed. I went up to check on them, and they all said...."we forgot to put out reindeer food." So of course we all ran downstairs, gathered our reindeer food (oatmeal and carrots), went out in the FREEZING cold and threw it on the lawn. 
Then back inside and back up to bed! We had a great day! 
That night especially, I was reminded of how lucky I am to have such a great family and super husband. Not only one that would pack up and move to my parents for two weeks (even though we are only 30 minutes from home) but one that loves and supports me!
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