Christmas 2011: Part 2

Our Christmas celebrating continued on Christmas Eve (for Part 1, click here). Ryan spent much of the day at church getting things ready while I stayed home and cooked. Cooking takes sooooo much longer when I am also entertaining Eva. We joined Ryan at church in the evening for the service.

Over 100 people attended Redeemer's Christmas service. Praise God! Our Pastor Scott preached a sermon that was full of the gospel message and I hope that hearts were changed and encouraged. After the service we started a new Christmas Eve tradition - going out to eat! Since we will likely attend service away from our family for the next 50 years, we decided that we need a fun tradition of our own. I plan on cooking for Christmas Day for years to come, and after a full day preparing for that meal, I didn't want to cook more for Christmas Eve. We decided to use a Cheesecake Factory gift card that we had received. I got a vegetarian hamburger and it was delicious. I am not a vegetarian but I like these so much more than a regular hamburger. We'd had so many sweets lately that we actually skipped the cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory...maybe next time :)

We didn't need to set an alarm clock on Christmas morning since we had this bundle of joy to wake us up! She didn't wake up for the presents - she woke up for food! After she was full we opened our family presents.
I want so much for Eva to appreciate the gifts we are able to give her and to enjoy spending time with family. I know that it is normal for kids to want tons and tons of presents but I hope I can teach her not to be greedy and to be content. I don't expect this to be easy, but that's part of being a parent, right?

Don't worry though, Santa did come to visit Eva! She got a fun stuffed puppy that sings and talks. She loves to look at it make noise and light up. My favorite part of this toy is when it is left on and randomly says, "HUG ME!" Hmm, seems a bit demanding....

After opening presents we got ready for our guests to arrive. I think I made enough chicken spaghetti for a small army! Seriously, it was so much chicken spaghetti. I planned for 8 not considering that one of those was a baby and three were grandparents (or rather, great-grandparents) that don't eat very much. We've been eating this for days now even after sharing a hearty portion with some church friends.

With Mama and Daddy, who wished for a Christmas nap, but got a house full of love instead.

I love my new toys!

Four generations together for Christmas, what a blessing!

With Great Grandpa Hank. Sadly, Eva did not want to be passed around too much. After days of celebrating I think she was worn out and just wanted to snuggle with Mama. I promise that she does smile and hope that one day she won't cry when passed around.

With Grandpa, doing her stretches.

With Papa Homer and Dede. I hope everyone enjoyed Eva's first Christmas!