Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve morning, the Burtons all met at the Silver Diner very early for a yummy breakfast.  In fact, James almost didn't wake up in time. Then we went home to make cookies for Santa, since we'd already eaten the several batches I had already made!  

In the afternoon Richard brought Miles to church early for a final dress rehearsal since he was in the nativity play that night (or Christmas pageant as they call it).  Miles played the owl who said, 'Who, who, has room for Mary and Joseph?'  Both our families came to support him, which was so nice.  It was a big deal for him, even though it was just a little part.  At they end they all sing and then sign 'Silent Night' and it was pretty funny, because a couple of little kids kept trying to stand in his spot to get the microphone.  He defended his spot though!  We were all just cracking up in the audience.

After the play, we headed to the Burtons to have the special Christmas Eve dinner of burgers by the fireplace.  Then we went home, laid out cookies for Santa, and put Miles in bed.  He was so excited about Santa this year.  He would ask me all kinds of questions about him, and he wanted to sleep with his window open so he could listen for him when he flew by the house and landed on the roof.  I told him I would come get him if I heard Santa.  He's at such a perfect age, it really is so much fun!

Breakfast at the Silver Diner

Chocolate mint cookies covered in powdered sugar for Santa

Papa holding James as we wait for the nativity play to start

Miles saying his line

The angels holding the 'Hallelujah' signs upside down was classic

The sheep playing with the well during the play was also entertaining

Back at the Burtons for dinner

Christmas Eve is just magical, isn't it?

Videos of Miles in the play

Miles says his line at 1 minute 30 seconds

Miles defending the microphone at 45 seconds

Gingerbread Houses

One night we decorated gingerbread houses at the Burtons.  Miles was very serious about his house this year, and it was a fun activity.  Plus there was plenty of candy :)  Things just keep getting more fun as he get old, I love it!

Cookies with Papa

Just another perk of living close to our family was that Miles went to my parents house to make cookies with Papa.  They made cut-out sugar cookies and did a great job! 

Random pics of James

Butt pictures are ok, right?

Why are real phones so cool?

More cousin time and the fishing game

Mary and Diane were both in town for awhile at Christmas with the kids.  Miles loved having his cousins to play with!  It's so fun that he is so close in age to Lizzie.  I wish they lived here.  Miles would be in heaven (and us too).  Since the fishing game was such a hit, they decided to do it again with the kids.  I love the looks of pure joy and excitement, finding out what they got.  

Nativity Rehearsals

We signed Miles up to participate in the Christmas Pageant at our church.  It meant several rehearsals for him in December.  Here are some pictures of him learning the sign language to 'Silent Night' and with his big buddy Zack.  Zack was the innkeeper and paired with Miles to make sure he knew where to go.  Miles of course was attached to Zack at the hip, who was always very nice to him.

James and the Christmas Tree

While decorating, I tried to put the soft ornaments at the bottom because of James.  He of course, loved the tree and was very interested in it!  I decided to let him at it and have fun.  We only had a few ornaments break this year, and nothing irreplaceable luckily.

Playing with the remote for the Christmas lights.  I would often leave the house and see that our lights were on, even though it was daytime.  I wonder whose fault that was...