Our House on Christmas Eve

(candles for the twenty children that were killed in Newtown)

I love Christmas Eve. We have a house full of family and friends. Everyone is so very excited about the next morning.



Our menu is soup. Yes, soup! Scott and I make four soups ahead of time and have them simmering in four different crockpots while we are at Mass. Then we just come home and whip up the rest and open our door.  Let the party begin!





Our soup night works out perfect. We can cook a few days ahead and everyone has dinner without us being there two hours ahead to cook it all. We literally come home from church to the house smelling so so good.



And with four soups there is something for everyone.







Winter Sangria's



Cousin love



This year I did my dessert table a bit more fancy. After the kids eat at the kitchen table I clear it and set up my pretty desserts.




(flickering tea lights on parts or our Christmas Tree stumps that so willing husband cut for me)



My niece



Anna's sweet friend and family to us (we traveled to China together all those years ago to adopt)







And as everyone gets bundled to leave...





we get ready for some traditions. Sprinkling food for the reindeer.



Treats for Santa



And the wonder sets my heart a flutter every year. What a blessing to have young children at Christmas.



One last peek before bedtime...