Christmas Eve at Grandma and Papa's

Christmas just wouldn't be complete without the traditional meal/gift preview at Grandma and Papa Ridges' home. This year our little return missionaries made it even more special by starting the evening off with a reading of the Nativity story from the Bible. While Papa read, Grandma helped the grandkids act out the story with puppets. Abby got to be the angel puppet and her cousins were very patient with her frequent outbursts of "Angewl, Angewl, dis is a Angewl!" throughout the activity. Once everyone had quietly reflected on the true meaning of the holiday, the gift exchange began.

Grandpa suprised the grandkids by making them each a "Jacob's ladder" toy. He had all the kids close their eyes while he lined them up behind them. As soon as their eyes were opened, there was no way to get a good photo. The kids were too excited to race each other to pose properly. (Incidently, Abby loved the "close your eyes and you'll get a suprise" line so much that she repeats it all day long and gets VERY upset if you don't really close your eyes. Thanks, Papa.)

After the dishes and wrapping paper were cleaned up, it was time to get the kids in their jammies and off to bed so Santa could come. (Yes, I bought another set of matching jammies - It's becoming an addiction.)