Christmas Eve

Our shepherds don't look very happy, but they were talking all week about using staffs. Particularly, arguing over who got Rob's hiking scout one, and who would use a wrapping paper roll.

Makayla was excited to be Mary, and for Emma to be baby Jesus.

With the head covering, now.

Christmas Eve fancy hot chocolate tradition!  We actually did Christmas Eve a little differently this year.  First of all, the weather was beautiful.  Secondly, we weren't planning on seeing any family.  In the morning, we went to the dollar store and bought a bunch of the chocolate covered cookies that we tim tam slam with warm milk.  Then we taped prewritten instructions of how to eat them, and delivered some to random strangers in the mobile home park that used to be part of our old ward.  Then we brought some to our old neighbors and friends in Provo.  We stopped and chatted with some of our old neighbors, which was really fun.  Some of them gave us Christmas goodies too!  We saw the Harris' train town and just enjoyed the morning.  Then we went home and had lunch.  Then kids delivered some cookies to our new (ha, we've lived here 2 years!) neighborhood and watched the Polar Express, while I made the Cardamon Christmas bread pictured below (My first time making it!  My grandma always made it for us when I was little.)  It has different steps than normal yeast bread, and a different texture than you'd expect. Mmmmm.  I made an orange glaze, which isn't traditional, but it's ok to give traditions your own flair, right?!  Somewhere in there Rob and I wrapped presents. Then we had crepes for dinner (a big hit!), acted out the nativity, had our hot chocolate, then watched It's a wonderful life.  (We always forget how long a movie it is!)  Then we put the kids to bed and put the final touches on Christmas.