Our Christmas Eve Traditions continued this year. We attended the First Presbyterian Churches' Candlelight service, which we really enjoyed. My parents sang in the choir and with their quartet group. It was a great start to the evening and we really felt the spirit while listening to the story and singing Christmas carols. Then at the end they darken the sanctuary and it slowly fills with light as people pass the fire flame one to another.
Ben after the service. We let Ben hold a candle this year!
(Whew! He didn't light himself on fire!)
Outside waiting to visit with friends and family.
Back home we had dinner already going and the tables set. The kids LOVED having sparkling cider in their special glasses.
My cousin Gary and his wife Kelly brought over their two girls for dinner. My Grandparents came as well and we sat down to a feast of turkey, ham, potatoes, stuffing, corn, green bean casserole, and rolls. We were so full we never made it to dessert!
Kelly with Aubree
My mom with Gary's Madison.
My mother's family tradition is to sing carols before opening presents. We each go around the room and pick our favorite. We sing it as a group and then it's the next persons turn. The last song is called "Pone". We stand up and walk together in a circle around the Christmas Tree (or most time the coffee table) and sing the song. It's some kind of Danish fighting song. We continue this tradition in memory of my Grandmother who insisted on it every year. The kids love it and it wakes them back up to open their gifts.
Dad and Ben get ready to sing carols.
Danielle with Madison. (She is so cute!)
Things started winding down about 10pm. The kids got into their jammies and got things ready for Santa. They made sugar cookies with Grandma Riddle just for the occasion. I know Santa appreciated it!
Hopefully we've been good!
Daddy and Uncle Craig play a game of twister with the kids.
Ben received firefighter stuff from my mom and dad. He had just gotten the coat from a friend of mine for free, so the accessories were awesome! 
My mother's family tradition is to sing carols before opening presents. We each go around the room and pick our favorite. We sing it as a group and then it's the next persons turn. The last song is called "Pone". We stand up and walk together in a circle around the Christmas Tree (or most time the coffee table) and sing the song. It's some kind of Danish fighting song. We continue this tradition in memory of my Grandmother who insisted on it every year. The kids love it and it wakes them back up to open their gifts.
(We later found out that they wanted us to pay for that too as we walked back to the front and saw the $5 to play in the snow sign. Oops! I wouldn't have paid for it anyway.)
