Christmas Eve

" It's not Christmas Eve. It's Christmas Eve Day.. duh" Classic quote from my Dad I quoted to the kids about 50 times and they just looked at my like I was crazy. That's ok.. I AM!


We followed the Tennyson tradition for Christmas Eve this year. I cook all night and morning the day of. The menu this year was a huge turkey, ham, potatoes, stuffing, corn, spiral pasta salad, monkey bread, 7 layer dip, fruit dip, veggie tray, cheese ball, yummy green salad with candied cashews, fruit salad.

The point of the meal on Christmas Eve is 1. To get everyone nice and full so they sleep well that night. 2. After I cook all this food- it is enough food for 3 days. We eat on paper plates and then I don't cook, or clean for a couple days.. SOOOO my favorite tradition ever!!!

Toby wanted me to go with him for our workout in the afternoon, while the ham and turkey were cooking. I still had to roll the monkey bread out. He said he would do it for me to make it faster. ( How hard could it be right?) Let's just say he didn't enjoy it very much. (MOM- he asked if this was how you did it? I think he thinks because you are wonder woman that monkey bread comes magically for you..LOL)



We made it to the gym that afternoon.. and it was good I did- because all this food was going to be eaten as well.

We invited some friends over who don't have family around. John Hill, a fantastic guy that works on one of the bases here.. ( not a soldier), and Page.. who we love to have over and he always brings some new electronic thing for us to be jealous over..:) We really enjoyed their company and hope they come to our Crazy place again.

Dinner ( if I could say) was amazing! I don't know the last time I had such an amazing ham. I made it in the crock pot, and just put some spices and then brown sugar and no water. It turned out sooo moist. The monkey bread was great.. had to do a second batch in the morning because the first batch did not rise. ugh!'

Here are some pictures after we ate.. there was still tons of food- YAY

Afterwards, the kids opened pajamas and got ready for bed.

These pictures are of Carmen putting carrots out for Rudolph, and some glitter oatmeal so he could see our house when he was flying.

I am so thankful for this season and the opportunity we have to be together as a family. Who knows if we will be in the coming years.. We read the Story from the scriptures and then the kids were fast asleep.

Toby and I obviously stayed up and fixed everything up for morning.. everything was pretty much done- it was nice for it to take all of 5 minutes to have everything out.

Toby and I watched a movie and (knowing the kids had set alarms for 6 am) headed to bed.

How blessed I am to live in this home, in a foreign country with family. How I wish sometimes to be closer to all the family at home.. that time will come again.