T'was The Nigh Before Christmas...

Christmas Eve was great, we had a yummy ham dinner, with a few of my favorite special treats, such as: stuffed mushrooms, spinach artichoke dip, deviled eggs, and acini or frog eye salad (a family tradition growing up).  And a few healthier choices: salad, baked potatoes and broccoli & cauliflower, with cheese sauce of coarse, and homemade rolls to boot! 

We were happy to share the night with good friends and one of Dave's sisters with her family if cute boys.  It's a good thing our friends had a couple of darling girls or our nativity program may have had a really old Mary and Angel. :)

We had our little program and counted it as Family Home Evening (since Christmas Eve was on a Monday).  Dave put together a play telling of Mary's visit from an angel...  

... her trip to Bethlehem on a donkey...

... there being no room in the Inns...

... and Christ's humble birth in a manger.  Shepherd's and Wise men also made an appearance, but were less photographically cooperative.  In conclusion we all sang Joy to the World.

It was a great night with friends and family, and helped to refocus our attention on the meaning of this season.

This is the Christmas room before we hit the sack.  

The table ready with goodies, and the remnants of Santa's cookies & milk.

The stockings stuffed and hung.  That red stocking on the end was hung by Seth originally for the baby in my womb, but then Jack made an appearance and it became for him.  

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!