Christmas Eve is Where It's At!

My Prince Charming!



The always well-dressed and beautiful couple, Bruce and Cody! My dear brother and the sister I never had.



My ever-loving Mom and Dad! I love you both so much!!!


We all went to the Christmas Eve service at The Barn. Pastor Clark presented a simple, wonderful message. All anyone really needs to hear on Christmas is that Jesus came to save them! He died for my sins and yours... and in receiving Him, we have eternal life!!! I'm forgiven! It never gets old, hearing this truth! What a wonderful Savior we have... and the best Birthday in the world to be celebrating!!! After we got home and dinner was warming on the stove, we all posed for pictures in front of the crackling fire. Have I mentioned how much I love this fireplace? It makes the Christmas spirit burn a little brighter!





Here are a few shots of the tree, still in-tact!



After a comforting dinner of Chicken Chili and cornbread, it was time to break out the Christmas cookies (I made 10 varieties this year! Actually 9, if you discount the "Christmas Poo," but I won't go into that. :))

So, in Schuman tradition (actually Eastman tradition, on my Mom's side... which ultimately takes over, don'tcha think?) we opened presents on Christmas Eve. It is just better. Let me tell you why. There is something magical about the evening... especially when you take your time like we do. Also in Schuman/Eastman tradition, each and every present gets its own turn. That means there is no ripping into things at once. Each person has one gift at a time, and everyone else is the audience to that opening. Everyone "oohs" and "ahhs," and it's wonderful. So, after Christmas Eve dinner is cleaned up, extra glasses of wine are served - or champagne - along with Christmas cookies, and everybody enjoys the sparkly lights and long hours together, without even a thought about getting Christmas Day dinner prepared. It's just perfect. Enough said! Anyways, here are a few random pics of the kids.... I actually hardly took any this year. I was having too much fun.


The ONE and ONLY thing Sullivan asked for this year was her own Bible. Not the toddler kind with big pictures. She wanted a REAL one. She was so happy with it... still is. She "reads" it every day. It is embossed with a horse head on the pleather exterior. (It is a horse-lover's edition!) Her whole name is engraved in the cover, and it is the most precious Bible you have ever seen. I need a close-up of it.


We all chuckled at how Levi has to try gifts on immediately. Here he is, hiding behind the couch, trying on a new western shirt from Non and Pops.


Titus got a practice drum set... you know, before we buy the real thing. That is definitely a purchase one should be sure about.


This may be the most popular Christmas present of all. We ALL love to play this game!!! But, technically, it belongs to Zane.


And not only did the kids get new boots from Nonnie and Popsie, but they all got new jackets as well! (I forgot to get a pic of Sulli in her fabulous animal print!) Thank you, N and P!!!



But my favorite part of our time around the tree was listening to Zane play worship songs and everyone singing along. Bruce's solo wasn't bad either. You want to remember moments like these forever.





We encouraged the kids to save a present for Christmas morning too (which greatly pleased the Christmas Morning Crowd). Birdie was especially happy since he slept through the festivities the night before. Of course, the kids opened their stockings in the morning too. Don't get too worried, people. Next Christmas, since it is a Powell year, we will be opening only one on Christmas Eve and the rest in the a.m.! And I will just have to deal with it. ;)