Christmas Eve Traditions

Every Christmas Eve, we attend the family service at church at 4 p.m. It was raining and the kids were thrilled to have their pictures taken.

When the service ends, we go through the Starbucks drive-thru. Gotta love not having to get out of the car.

I always get a Strawberry and Cream drink. I've never been one to drink coffee...that's probably a good thing!

After the Starbucks run, we go to my best friend's house (and my twins' godparents' house) They always have a huge party with family and close friends. It's always a good time and it's great for the kids to run around together. We track Santa...

And we open presents....

This year (and every year) the Godparents gave the twins the greatest gifts.

Suitcases with every thing that they need to spend the night at their Godparents' house...

A note to leave for mom and dad

A sleeping bag.

underwear and pajamas

and a toothbrush, a blockbuster gift card and candy. The twins LOVE the presents. I keep hearing the wheels of the suitcase as they travel back and forth throughout the house!

Then we leave the party and go home to get ready for bed. We write Santa a note.

Then all of the kids sign the note.

Then we gather in the living room to read the Christmas Story in the Bible. This is the second year that the twins have been able to read so everyone takes part in the reading of the story.

Then it's bedtime and time for Santa to get to work. Thankfully, Santa was ahead of the game this year and everything was wrapped and put together before Christmas Eve.

Six hours later, the craziness begins! More on that soon.

We hope everyone has a

P.S. Santa brought a monkey!