Christmas Eve at Aunt Karen's

Christmas Eve at Aunt Karen's... year 3 of a fairly new tradition!

We started the afternoon by meeting at the cemetery to gather around grandma and grandpa's grave to read our poem, say a prayer and pay our respects. Even though this has been a tradition that started the year grandma died, it is not something that gets any easier as the years go by. In fact, for me, it is more emotional now that I have my own children. I so wish that my grandparents were still here to be able to share in the lives of their great-grandchildren. I know that Sayer and Greyson would bring such joy to their lives.

After we left the cemetery we headed to Aunt Karen's festive house to enjoy each other's company. This year was special in many ways, but one thing that made it extra special was that Jason and Heidi (newly engaged the first of December) were able to be with us.

Always more presents than we know what to do with. Aunt Karen and mom LOVE Christmas and they LOVE giving. They have always made Christmas extra special for each of us "kids" and now my kids get to share in the giving/receiving! We are all so blessed that we are able to give so abundantly.

Aunt Heidi, Uncle Jason and Greyson. (Poor Grey was starting to get sick Christmas Eve. You can certainly see it in his eyes in this picture.)

WOW - how things have changed in one short year. Last Christmas Eve Sayer was the one and only child. This year he was joined by cousin Janika and Greyson. Kids make the holidays so much better! Sayer and Janika playing with toys BEFORE opening their presents.

The family gathering for Christmas Eve dinner. We always have the "traditional" meal... turkey, ham, potatoes, stuffing, green beans, hot rolls, sweet potatoes and spinach salad. YUM! Thank you mom and Aunt Karen for always working so hard to prepare such a wonderful meal for all of us. I promise to take over one of these days!

YaYa and Janika playing BEFORE presents.

Sayer opening his first present of this evening. He was very into opening gifts this year. Last year it was all about the paper and tissue paper. This year it was all about the gift that was inside. Sayer had twice the presents to open this year because he opened all of Greyson's gifts too. Next year might be a different story...

Justin and Janika.
KUDOS to Jason for bringing the "gift" of the night!! He had presents for mom, Aunt Karen, Justin and I that he said were from Grandpa and Grandma. As mom and Aunt Karen opened their gifts, their facial expressions said it all as they realized what the gift was.

Jason had taken a photo of my grandparents farm from the corner of their grave site. The cemetery that they are buried in overlooks their farm. The picture turned out AMAZING. This picture certainly doesn't do it justice. What an awesome gift Jason. Thank you!

Sayer licking the icing off of a Christmas cookie that Farrah made. What a perfect way to end a perfect night!!