Twas the Night Before Christmas...

Dad decided we should carry on with our Christmas Even plans, even though Mom was in the hospital.  That was a little hard to stomach, but it did feel good to have someone just decide on a plan.  Josh had been planning to cook our big dinner, so that wasn't so much of a change.  We spent time during the day decorating the tree and working on wrapping presents.  Uncle Larry was helping Jackson decorate the tree, and I walked in to see this adorableness!

We were SO excited to get to spend so much time with Aunt Michelle and Uncle Larry!!!  They got into town the same night as us, and they are staying until Friday!

Nan came over for Christmas Eve dinner!  She definitely got in some squeezes with Graham :)

Nan and her TWO great grandsons!

DELICIOUS dinner!  Turkey, salami, corn pudding, macaroni and cheese, potatoes au gratin, salad, biscuits and cinnamon jello.

As we were finishing up the final touches on present wrapping, Bampa got out this puzzle for Jackson that Mimi had picked out.  The puzzle is a night before Christmas puzzle.  I think Jackson did it five times in a row!

After dinner, it was time for presents!  Santa is bringing Jackson the Imaginext castle, so Nan got him the dragon to go with it.  It didn't occur to me when I was helping Santa and Nan coordinate, that he would get the dragon first.  But, he thought it was fantastic just on its own!

Helping Bampa open a special present ;)

We all really look forward to getting new socks from Brad and Karol!!!  It sounds so silly, but it is so cozy getting new comfy socks!

Nan opening a present--she had quite a few--she must have been good :)

I think this was sidewalk chalk!  Excellent choice :)

Yummy giftcards!

Jackson and Graham gave Nan a mug with their picture on it and it says, "I {heart} Grandma"

Jackson got some cool snow crayons!

After we finished opening presents, it was time for dessert!  Chocolate Covered Oreo Cake!

Christmas Eve pre-bedtime picture

Jackson made an advent calendar by putting one cottonball on Santa's beard each day.  It is finally all full!

Paxton had a good time too :)

Larry took this cool picture with the panoramic feature on his phone--neat!

Once the boys were in bed and we sat down to make a plan for Christmas, we decided we would take Christmas to Mimi in the hospital.  I wish I could have a picture of the look on my dad's face when I told him we wanted to take ALL of the presents there and do our "normal" routine there.  It was hilarious!  And, of course, Larry just let me look silly even though he had told me he wanted to do the same thing :P  So, he and I stayed up late wrapping and getting everything all set!  Our plan is to go over first thing in the morning and open one half of the presents.  Then come home for lunch and quiet time and then go back in the afternoon to open the second half of the presents.