a Christmas story.

Christmas Eve arrived and we got in our most festive attire to celebrate.

I have to tell you, I found these red shoes and Target and liked them more than a friend. Luckily, Carly shared my sentiments and wore them ALL DAY. During her nap they were on the table right next to her bed. They couldn't go too far. Nothing like a pair of red shoes.

It is a tradition in Chris's family to go out to breakfast on Christmas Eve, so we headed out to Cracker Barrel. There were pancakes and biscuits and gravy and eggs and sausage and chocolate milk galore. A ton of food is always a good way to commence holiday celebrations.

Carly was a big fan of the Cracker Barrel game, but the wait for her blueberry pancakes was pure torture for the poor girl.

We came home and spent the day napping, playing games, watching movies, and baking treats.

We played a great deal of Scrabble, though my pregnancy brain was struggling and my best word was "tinkle". Carly liked to sit by us and "play letters" with her own set. 

Carly was also a very helpful baking assistant.

At last, evening came, and Christmas Eve traditions got into full swing. The presents were brought down and organized under the Christmas tree.

Papa read the Nativity story. Red Baron and Towel had the honor of playing Baby Jesus and the swaddling clothes, respectively. Carly is so sweet with babies, and showed Baby Jesus lots of love.

Then there were Christmas Eve jammies and pictures in front of the tree.

And we all settled in for a long winters nap.

All day we told Carly that "tomorrow is Christmas" and "Santa is coming tonight". When morning came, she exclaimed "It's Christmas!" She caught on pretty well. Some crazy part of me thought Carly would stay in her pjs for present opening, and I explained that everyone would be in their pajamas. No, she insisted, she needed a dress. Of course. So we put on her Christmas dress. For the record, I did try to keep her in her pjs.

We came upstairs and Carly saw the presents and asked, "Where's Santa?"

I guess we didn't explain that he would come AND go before we woke up.

Present opening commenced.

First, stocking presents.

Then the big Santa presents.

And then the rest.

Carly was pretty funny, because she just wanted all the presents open. She wouldn't initially be that interested in what the present actually was, just what would come next. She liked the act of opening the presents more than the presents themselves. But that changed after all the presents were open. She loves her new Repunzel doll, which came with a matching dress-up dress. But I think the biggest hit may have been one of those little wind-up fishing games, where you catch the fish with a magnet fishing pole. Probably about $2, but she loves it and asks, "Wanna go fishing, mama?"

Chris and I were also very spoiled. I may be most excited about our video camera, as Carly does all sorts of cute stuff these days, and we've got two more subjects to film coming soon. Chris was pretty pumped about a bunch of new socks.

After presents, we got all dolled up and headed to Church. I have to admit, I was a grump about having Church on Christmas, but the music and talk given were beautiful, and I was grateful for the opportunity to feel the Spirit on the day we celebrate the Savior's birth.

Oh, Carly's Christmas dress. I have to admit, I'm obsessed with it. Labor Day weekend we went to Cracker Barrel and looked around at the little country store in the front while we waited for our table. And there was the cutest little Southern-style smocked Christmas tree dress. Our years in the South turned me into a sucker for cute smocking. I loved it, but we left without it. I have thought often of the dress in the months since, and every time I looked at Christmas dresses, they paled in comparison. So I got Carly a gray sweater dress and figured it would do the job when paired with those fabulous red shoes. But on Christmas Eve at breakfast, we saw the dress again . . . and it was 50% off. I used my charms on Chris, and we brought it home. I say  it was well worth it, because she looked so insanely cute. And its a little big, so she'll probably be able to wear it as a top next year. Oh, and we know we're having another girl, so Little Miss A will have one adorable Christmas dress waiting for her in a few years.

After Church came naps, movies, games, and pizza.

[Papak snuggling with Red Baron.]

[Repunzel and Carly watching Repunzel.]

It was a nice Christmas.

We are blessed.