Christmas Eve

Time for another Christmas update--it's a bit long winded-sorry!
Christmas Eve was a nice relaxing day.....half of it was actually spent making Grandma Gert's ooey, gooey, yummy, cinnamon rolls. The recipe is my hubby's grandma's recipe and my mother in-law has been making them for years. I look forward to having one or two (or three) whenever we visit them. I thought it would be a fun tradition to start making them every year now that Owen is old enough to be my little helper. These rolls are definitely a labor of love...make the dough, knead for ten minutes (Owen did a great job with this), let them rise for 2 hours, roll out and cut up, then rise again....but were they worth it! SOOO GOOD. Unfortunately, I was lacking in the picture department as we were too busy slaving away! ;) They made a great Christmas breakfast though! They also make 4 dozen....so now I can't stop eating them!
Anyways, like I said, Christmas Eve was quite relaxing...the hubby had to work so we went to the Christmas Eve church service, just the little man and I. I have to say...I adore this service. It brings back so many fond memories from when I was a child. Getting all dressed up in our Christmas dresses that my mom would make each year for us.....holding candles while we sang songs that have now become some of my favorites...Away in a Manger, the First Noel, Silent Night.....such a beautiful service. It fills me with peace each and every year.
After the service, I had planned to just go home and make some homemade soup for dinner.... But, a dear friend of mine at church, was so kind and invited us to her family's house for dinner. I really didn't want to impose but she insisted. So off we went, thinking it was just her and her 3 kids along with her parents...but lo and behold...it was her entire family! They were all so kind and welcoming...definitely made my heart happy. It was so nice of them to let us be a part of their Christmas. We had a delicious dinner and then the kids put on an adorable talent show. Two of the boys are Owen's age and they let Owen join right in...and boy did Owen join in! They sang Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. It was Beyond. Adorable. I wish I would have had my camera (I don't typically bring my camera to church..ha!) but I know the memories will live on....we are so blessed to have such lovely people in our lives. Kris, if you are reading this, thank you so, so much for inviting us and letting us celebrate with you and yours. It was so nice to spend Christmas Eve in good company.
Lastly, a post would not be a post without a few pics...I did manage to capture a few holiday decor randoms and Owen all dolled up in his red sweater and brown corduroys...I just love him. That's all. :)

My fave are the little silver shoes....signifying Owen's very first Christmas...

Oh, and we can't forget putting out cookies and milk for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph.  Owen said Santa needed a carrot too. : )

Had to squeeze a little snuggle time in with his blankie.....