Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a busy day. Kyle took Peyton to daycare on his way to work. I was off work, but I needed the alone time to clean the house. I worked hard all morning. Kyle only decided to work a half-day and he picked Peyton up from daycare early on his way home.

We went to church in the afternoon. The service was scheduled to start at 3:00. Last year we arrived only a few minutes before 3:00 and there were no seats left. There were extra chairs set up everywhere and people were still standing in the aisles. Since Peyton was so little, we decided not to stay. This year, we got there about 45 minutes early to ensure that we'd have a seat in the main church. We brought goldfish, juice, and books for Peyton, so he was happy. He did really well once the service started. He enjoyed listening to everyone sing. He'd clap after each song.

We headed home to relax for a little while. Then we left to go to dinner at Sabatino's with my dad's side of the family, as we do each Christmas Eve. We got the restaurant just before our 6:00 reservation. Dinner was ok, but definitely not great. I got the gnocchi which was decent, but Kyle did not really enjoy his chicken and Peyton didn't eat much either. I got a cannoli for dessert which didn't taste bad, but didn't quite taste right either. Peyton seemed to like it though. He also ate some of Pop-Pop's cheesecake, which might be his favorite dessert.

Peyton loaded up on lots of goodies at dinner. Kim, Bo, and Dougie got him a snow globe that plays Christmas songs. Aunt Bev gave him his traditional gingerbread man and some cookies. Nadean, Austin, and Vester gave us a wreath ornament made out of jingle bells. Mom and Dad hooked us up with some yummy fudge.

Here is everyone at dinner. There was a wall just at the end of our table, so I couldn't get everyone (Kyle and Peyton) in the picture.

Peyton borrowed Austin's light-up reindeer antlers for a bit.

We left the restaurant around 8:00 to head home. There was still a lot to do. We dressed Peyton in his new Christmas pajamas. Isn't he so cute?!

Then I read him "The Night Before Christmas" like I do each year.

We wrote a note to Santa and left him some cookies and milk. We also left a carrot for the reindeer.

Then it was finally time for bed. Peyton didn't lay down until almost 9:00, which is past his bed time. We told him he had to sleep so that Santa could come and bring him presents. He happily complied.