Christmas Eve

Every once in a while we get ambitious and do something fun, like make a gingerbread house. We dont do it every year, so when the kids saw me pull this one out, of course they were ecstatic! Everyone picked a side and went to work. Naturally, Zack got assigned to do the back of the house and Brylee was able to pour the sprinkles on as a finishing touch. This particular kit (yes I buy the kit...Im not that ambitious!), came with some fondant to mold and sculpt to your creative desires, so that left me doing most of the busy work. Here are the kids trying to take turns and be patient. Almost done...

Brylee is always our taste tester. Cant make a work of art that isnt tasty right?

Christmas Eve arrived and it was time for more decorating. I try to encourage the kids to make cookies containing chocolate for Santa-they must be his favorite...but they insisted on decorating sugar cookies this year.

Zack trimming a tree...

Brylee getting ready to fulfill her job as the taste tester again.

Ryan's finished "Mario" cookie.

If there has to be a picture of me...well here it is.

The finished works of edible art. Next on the list of Taylor Family fun...the Christmas Eve play. This is something we do every year. We thought it would be cute if Brylee and Zack played Mary and Joseph this year. Brylee wasnt thrilled however, with the idea of wearing the cloth on her head. Here she is eating a piece of candy we bribed her with to keep it on. It worked...until the candy was gone, then it came off again. You will have to use your imagination for the part of Mary this year.

We did manage to snap a quick picture of the pair before she ripped it off her head. See...cute right? Ryan assumes the roll of the donkey every year. (;

Angel:Madi

Shepherds:Alissa & Katelin

Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus

The Angel appearing to the shepherds.

Doubling as the wise men.

And for your viewing pleasure...a surprise video that Madi was secretly capturing. I wouldnt have acted this way on camera if I had known. Good thing, because we all get a good laugh out of it. Here I am as King Herod talking to the wise men.

(Be sure to pause the music at the bottom of the blog so you can hear it.)

After the play comes the traditional opening of the Christmas Eve Pajamas. Apparently Brylee was still upset about us making her be Mary, so she refused to smile the rest of the night. She really did like her PJ's, even though she refused to show it. Stubborn girl.

Zack was the only one who actually got to pick out his fabric. Of course it has trains on it. I bought the Thomas shirt for cheap to work as a PJ top.

Alissa got frogs on hers.

Madi got her favorite-monkeys.

And Katelin got a mix of both frogs and monkeys!

I was pretty happy with the way they turned out this year. I think this pattern was much easier than the one I used last year.

I bought my pants, but I think next year I will make those too. Maybe matching???

Ryan prefers wearing his basketball shorts to bed, so I surprised him and Zack with matching BYU shirts. He was okay with that...just a little.

Heres the whole gang in our Christmas PJ's, all ready for Santa to come. A pretty good pic. minus the grumpy Mary.

Good night and Merry Christmas Eve!