Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve day, we had to run an errand and go to the grocery store, so we divided and conquered   Oliver and Mommy were in charge of the errand; buying our family 2012 ornament.  Nothing like waiting until the last minute!  While we waited for the ornament to be personalized, Oliver and I looked around the Christmas store.  This angel in the window was quite impressive and Oliver had a fun conversation with her.

The numerous trees were filled with beautiful ornaments which were fun to peer upon.

At home, we had to whip up some cookies for Santa.  There was no time for nap for this five-year-old, it was Santa cookie time!

Oliver's job was to place the sprinkles on the cookies, just right.

Sometimes the sprinkles need some proper adjustment.

The first cookie out of the Santa cookie batch was deemed edible for quality control sake.

There were plenty more where that one came from.

They passed with flying green and red colors.

Mommy is on a quest to master sugar cookies like what Grandma makes and she is SO close!  Daddy says there is still work to be done, but Mommy believes that we're 95% there.  The quality control master deemed them nothing short of perfection.

Finally, Christmas eve had arrived and it was time to dash off to Christmas Eve service, but not before a quick 10 second timer photo of the family.

Mommy, Daddy, Kellan and Oliver on Christmas Eve.

As we left the Christmas Eve service, full of love and appreciation for the Reason for the Season, it was lightly snowing.  Yes, we were going to have a White Christmas!  We quickly went home and Oliver spread the reindeer food he got from his friend at school.

After a soup dinner, the boys were excited to open ONE gift each.  For the first time, Kellan was seen peeking at what was under the tree out of curiosity.

This didn't stop him from standing up with a BIG CHEESE!

Notice the monkey in his arm.  This is his new favorite friend.  Friends come and go, but they usually stay for a few days and then come back around later.

Our two handsome boys.  We are so blessed to have them in our lives to fulfil our family of four.  We couldn't imagine life without them.  They really do complete us.

They also complete and compliment each other.  They are brothers and best friends.

Finally, the time had arrived and they picked the gifts from Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Brian.

Love Little Toes!

Oliver was excited to see that his Star Wars collection had just grown.  

Kellan took a minute to figure out the unwrapping process, which also provided for a few more photo moments.  He too was glad to see that his Star Wars collection had now officially began.

We were softies and let the boys open one more gift, which they chose the gifts from Uncle Jerry.  Kellan was quite mesmerized with the Bop It game that he sent to Oliver.

Finally, the evening had worn down and it was time to prep for the arrival of Santa Claus.  Oliver was eager to prepare his milk jug and wanted to poor the milk personally.

He also picked out the perfect trio of cookies.

He placed the cookie on the coffee table under the light so that Santa would see them and he instructed his Daddy as to where the milk should go.

Kellan didn't quite understand.  He was VERY upset that these cookies were for Santa and not for him.  These photos aren't in perfect focus  but it's appropriate as I'm sure the whole event was very fuzzy for Kellan.  Here, he is throwing himself into the chair in agony.

"It just can't be so!  Why does Santa get these cookies and I don't?"

"Life is a travesty!"

"I just can't bare the thought of leaving these cookies right here, on my snow globe table.  Maybe Mommy will have pity on me and let me have one nibble.  Maybe I can will the cookie into my hand?"

The cookies and milk were placed with care and were not to be disturbed by anyone except Santa.

Mommy had pity, it was Christmas Eve.  Kellan got a whole cookie, all to himself.  No one wants to go to bed sad and angry about Santa eating your cookies on Christmas eve.

With the boys in their PJ's and with their teeth brushed, Daddy and the boys snuggled in for a Christmas Eve tradition of reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas."

As predicted, Santa arrived.

The stockings were filled by the chimney with care.

Santa felt the sling shot that Oliver asked for was too tough to administer and a bow and arrow would be much more appropriate.

Santa also thought that Kellan would like to see his favorite show come to life in the shape of a new stuffed friend.

As Mickey kept a close eye on the special delivery, the Ham Fam was tucked snug in their beds with visions of sugar cookies dancing in their heads.