It's a Beautiful Life: Christmas Eve 2010

We spent months getting ready for Xmas...shopping, decorating, baking....and it flew by in a flash!

We had such a wonderful Xmas this year! Every year Christmas just seems to get more fun as the girls get older! This year was by far our most fun Xmas yet! Abigail really got the idea of Xmas and loved everything Xmas! She loved Santa, Christmas movies, Christmas decorations, and especially Christmas lights! Elfer (Elf on a Shelf) was a fun new tradition that added to the anticipation of Xmas morning!

We are so blessed to have so many wonderful family members and friends to share Xmas with that I had to break down Xmas into 4 posts, starting with Xmas Eve!

Xmas Eve is my FAVORITE day of the year!!!!! To me it really embraces the meaning of Xmas. We began our Xmas Eve with a trip to Central Dupage Hospital...but for a good visit! We brought presents to the babies in the NICU. I know I've told this story 100 times, but when Abigail was in the NICU, I was so moved when we came down Xmas morning to Abigail's little incubator, and it was covered in presents and decorations. I couldn't believe how many people had thought of our little girl on Xmas! So we have tried to repay that by bringing presents to the kids so they know someone is thinking of them...and we hope to give them some glimpse of hope when they see such a healthy, happy girl who only a few years ago was right where their baby is now. When we dropped off the gifts, we saw my favorite nurse....she couldn't believe how big Abigail was...and I was telling Rob how we are 3 years past the NICU, but she continues to go there, even on holidays, to make a difference in so many families lives. TRUE ANGELS!

Next, the girls and I headed to Xmas Eve mass. To me, Xmas begins with mass. It always has growing up and I hope it will for my girls too. Since we couldn't go to the children's mass at our usual church, we went to a family mass at Abigail's preschool church. It was a small gathering, but was so cute because they had a bday cake for baby Jesus and all the kids go to to up and sing Happy Birthday and blow out the candles and have some cake. I can't think of a better way to begin Xmas.

It was home for lunch, naps, and then it was time to head to my parent's house for Xmas Eve! Xmas Eve has always been a big deal to our family...and I love that I am able to spend Xmas Eve with my parents every year! We missed Jules, Joe, and Lucy this year, but got to celebrate with them later (Post #4). There were the traditional foods: Oyster shooters, Crab Legs (new tradition), Perch, and Pierogies. A Polish Xmas Eve meal! It's always so nice to just sit around the table and talk, laugh, and enjoy the holidays together.

Then came...PRESENTS! Every year I am more amazed at the number of presents...and the adults have begun a Secret Santa so we don't even buy for each other (although there is a "man" gift and a "girl's" gift that is always a highlight. This year my dad gave something to clean the inside of the car, Rob gave something to remove scratches from cars and shots of 3 wise men, and Joe gave duct tape and a book about Duct Tape Uses....all such fun gifts. My mom gave Banana Republic sweaters, I have a towel for your head after a shower, Kate gave a cami, and Jules gave a gift certificate for a pedicure). The girls are so blessed and lucky to have such wonderful family! They had so many presents to open, I don't even know where to begin.

Some of the highlights were:

Abigail: Scooter, Chest with Dress up Clothes, HUGE Minnie Mouse, toy you sit and jump on, matching vests, puzzle, Cinderella ornament, games, tie-dyed dress.

Caitlin: Piano that connects to TV, Wizard of Oz snowglobe, clothes, HUGE Winnie the Pooh, Leapfrog Book, matching vests, Bathtub toys, Wizard of Oz ornament, games, cutest outfit with skinny jeans.

Beth: Kate was my secret santa and got me a BAG of clothes...tons and tons of clothes from some of my favorite stores...it was great! I also got a gc to go shopping for myself and tickets to the movies!

Rob: My dad was Rob's secret santa and got him the Ipod player he has been wanting for literally 2 years now! He also got a gc to go shopping and tickets to the movies!

We were beyond blessed (and spoiled) this year at Xmas. Thank you Mom, Dad, and Katie for such wonderful Xmas Eve memories!

And without further ado....pictures! (However, I realize how I only take pics of the kids now....I didn't ever even take one of rob, myself, or my parents. My new years resolution (other than couponing) is to get better with taking pictures!!!!