Christmas Eve

This year, we decided to venture out for an early Christmas Eve dinner and then we drove around afterwards to look at all of the beautiful lights. Mom has been looking at the spectacular Christmas tree in the lobby of her building every day for the last several weeks thinking that she should take the little people in to see it. So that is where we went.

We got some great photos of the kids in front of the wonderful tree.

And then we headed in to the restaurant where the kids were treated with the opportunity to play with some pizza dough. That was fun!

Natalie also managed to get in a little coloring before dinner was served.

But everyone was hungry and they devoured their pizza and macaroni and cheese as soon as it arrived.

Mom and dad also had a very yummy dinner.

We headed back to the gigantic tree for a few more pictures on our way out. Here, the girls pose with a little friend.

And here is a shot of the tree. It really is spectacular, especially at night.

Natalie made a nutcracker friend, as well.

After we got home, the kids were lucky enough to open two presents. The first one was new Christmas PJs. They were excited and were happy to pose nicely with dad for some photos.

And then they sat nicely under the tree for another one.

Of course, all of that good behavior was in exchange for the promise of another present. While we were at dinner, a bag of goodies arrived on our door step from the wonderful neighbors. (See the prior post on how lucky we are to have such awesome neighbors all around us.) So, we let the kids open one more present and it worked out well as that one present kept them busy for the rest of the night. Natalie and Amanda received a craft and got to work right away.

And Will received a puzzle with firetrucks, airplanes and fast cars that all make noise.

They were all in heaven and then they went to sleep with great anticipation for what was to come on Christmas day!