Christmas Eve traditions at our house

We have had our own Christmas Eve traditions at our house.  Something that I look forward to every year. Especially now that our kids are really "into" Christmas.  We always get the kids new pj's (a tradition we had when I was growing up....actually until I moved out!).

And we make and decorate Christmas sugar cookies for Santa.

Christmas Eve at Mom and Dad's

We had our annual Christmas breakfast at mom and dads on Christmas Eve since Christmas fell on a Sunday this year.  It was actually very nice to not have to rush around on Christmas morning to get there.  We all got to take our time eating and opening gifts and had NO where else to be!  Once again, Mom and Dad to way to much for us....but it was REALLY great!  I think we all got what we wanted/needed.  Cory even got a wheelbarrow!

Luke got his "Trents Richardsons" jersey

I always love seeing mom and dad's faces when they open their gifts from us.  

No matter what it is, they always seem to love it!  This year, we did good.  A Vera purse for mom, Bama dress shirt for dad, gift card to go out to eat and....

a calendar with past events pictures....(this always brings tears)

and...THIS for the courtyard!

silly, silly kids...

 All the kids got sleeping bags 

 Luke's sleeping bag is....get this...Batman

Christmas at Grammy and Poppy's 2011

 We had our annual "Christmas Mexican fiesta" at Cory's parents on the 23rd.  

As usual....we all got a lot and we had a blast.

Allie entertained us with "Jingle Bells" most of the night

Little Tots Christmas party

Luke's Christmas party at school was on December 22nd.  It's always fun to go into his classroom and see him with his friends at school.  They got to decorate cookies and make an ornament.

 The activity of the day was the "musical books"...kinda like musical chairs!  

Not sure books are what they were expecting!

Christmas card 2011

Merry Christmas from the McElyea family!

Santa's Village 2011

We went to Santa's Village last week to see Santa.  This has been such a "magical" time for Luke.  He totally "get's it" this year.  So, he was so excited to go see Santa at his Huntsville workshop.  Allie, well, not so much.  She stood by Santa, but that was it.

We welcome Buddy....our Elf

We welcomed Buddy, our Elf on the Shelf, a couple of weeks ago.  He was "delivered" to us on December 2nd 2011 by Santa.  Let's just say he has been a very important member of our family over the past few weeks.  If Luke gets in trouble, he totally panics!  It's so sweet to see the kids talk to him and tell him what they want for Christmas.  When the kids get up every morning, they are so excited to see what Buddy has done the night before.  I only wish they made a "Spring/Summer/Fall Elf on the Shelf"!