December part deuce...

 Christmas Eve morning we always make breakfast together..The kids wanted a SANTA pancake- so here is what they came up with..can you see him??

 For Christmas Eve dinner we had Grammy's traditional Cheesy Vegetable chowder..YUMMMM!!!

As I narrated the account of Jesus' birth (from Luke 2) the kids reenacted the nativity (another Asay family tradition we do every year)

 I don't think I got one shot with everyone looking at me...oh well

 Zach was Joseph and Bella was Mary

 It was her first time to ever get to be Mary and boy did she take it EVER SO seriously!!

 She was SUPER sweet with baby Jesus

 It was too warm by the fire, so eventually the whole gang moved over to the couch as we read the full account...Not Bella...she just sat right by baby Jesus and watched over him while we read.

 The other Christmas Eve traditions we do every year are...

 

get new jammies

 and a new family game!!!

 This year we got LEGO Champion....NO not the same as last year. We liked lego's creationary so much we thought we'd try this one too....this one is definitely better then creationary!!

 building the board and the pieces...

doing the tower tumble challenge...(which I stunk at by the way)

after the game we sprinkled our reindeer food out on the lawn like always... 

 Savannah gifted Santa with one of her drawings...I love how she made snoopy a girl and drew her dreaming of candy and presents... oh and that is her over by the tree

we ended the night making some chocolate chip and sugar cookies for Santa and putting them by the fireplace...while the kids slept and dreamt of sugar plums...

 Look who came and filled the stockings!!

 and brought wished for presents!!!

 and then they awoke!!!

 Savy got her "Misty" bike (that she very specifically requested!)

 and Zach got his hamsters that the he's been begging for... 2 of them (blueberry dwarf hamsters) one named Buddy after the Elf, and one named Speedy)

 He ended up gifting one to Josh so that could each have one...very Zach- he likes to share his stuff!!

 Bella loved her Lion pillow pet and her jack in the box (cracked me up that she asked for a jack in the box?!)

 taking buddy out for a spin

 enjoying the nail polish and lip gloss...sweet!

 Josh asked for a kindle...BUT the monkeys got into our "secret" stash while we were in cancun and found it....so Santa had to come up with something else to give Josh....so a camel back was our back up

 and the boy was happy....

 cool stocking stuffers!! (thanks grammy- you are a life saver;)

 and slippers were also on these girls lists..

 a little bling is always fun!

 after Santa gifts and stockings, we opened up the gifts from our little family gift exchange...each person draws a name and secretly buys a gift for that person...Here is Bella thanking Josh for the squinkies he bought her with his own money

 this boy beamed over his hamster for hours!!!

 Sav loved her "our generation" doll Sandie from her Grammy and Grandpy...she keeps calling it an American Girl Doll...I haven't broken it to her yet....

 AHA! he DID get his Kindle after all... even though it ALMOST ruined Santa for the littles...

 Zach got a lava lamp!! he's been wanting one for a while now.

and finally at 9:30am this little miss decided to wake up and join in on the fun! Santa brought her dress up stuff!!! perfect!!

 

one of the stocking stuffers were DIY straws... so during breakfast Zach pulled them out and put them to good use..

 After Breakfast we played some more then went to church...everyone looked so nice and Christmasy- I was DETERMINED to get a picture...but no...after church every one was back in jammies in the blink of an eye...including me...how it should be.

 the rest of the day was spent playing with our toys and family games (let's dance wii  was a FAVORITE- a christmas miracle if you know my boys!)

Zach made some crystals with Mike

 The rest of the evening consisted of Sav and I gathering food, setting the table and enjoying our yummy Christmas dinner (thank you to Dr. Goodson for providing us with a greenberg turkey each year!) ...though we missed being with extended family, we were able to enjoy Christmas with all the traditions, family time and peace that this season brings...

especially the peace in knowing that our Savior was born and that He lives.