Christmas Eve

We started our Christmas Eve festivities by going to the matinee showing of How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical in San Francisco.  It was such a fun show- and Scarlett absolutely loved it.  She danced and cheered and sang the songs... she thought it was great.  She has watched the movie almost every day this past week and just loves the Grinch.  Seeing him in person was quite special.

Great Aunt El joined us for the show- as did Marcelle and Aunt Pam, but they weren't there yet when we took the picture.

"Ma'am with the camera- you, Ma'am!"  Is what the usher yelled as he ran toward me when I snapped this picture inside the theater.  Whoops.

Scarlett has loved having Aunt Ashley home for the last several days.  I'm not sure what we're going to do when she heads back to Utah.

After the show we walked a few blocks to the Parc 55 Wyndham hotel where we had a late lunch at City House.  Delicious!

We drove back from San Francisco, and attempted to lay Scarlett down for a nap.  After listening to her sing and talk for about 45 minutes, and then eventually say "I took a good nap, now get me out", we headed over to my parents' house for dinner and more Christmas Eve fun.  Since we had a late lunch, we did appetizers and finger food for dinner, which was perfect.  I told Mom I wanted to do that every year- a nice lunch- easy breezy dinner.

Scarlett is quite the lover of the camera lately- check out that pose.

Best little friends.

After opening a few presents, we read the story of Christ's birth and then sang some of our favorite Christmas hymns while Mom played the piano.

For the last few years Ashley has given each of us pajama bottoms for a Christmas Eve gift.  Here is our attempt at taking a picture of all of us.  I was setting the timer... everyone was figuring out where they should be, Scarlett was screaming NO!

I loved this test shot- Scarlett took off... everyone else in my life is just so special.  :)

A real family photo- notice Scarlett's can of Dr. Pepper with her straw?  Yep.

Whose belly is bigger!?

I chose to wear my pajamas to Mom and Dad's, and in so doing look much larger than my actual self- Rob's thick, baggy shirt is not doing me any favors.  But hey, I am 36 weeks pregnant.

The Turner girls in our matching pajamas.  Thanks, Ash.

Scarlett got an adorable pair of ornament jammies.  She loves them.

The boys in their almost matching pants.

We had such a great evening, just spending time together.  We have been spoiled with having Kyle back from BYU Hawaii, and Ashley here from Utah.  I love having my family close together.

I also love this time of year when we get to reflect on the birth and life of our Savior.  He is the reason for the season.

We headed home and hit the sack, after all, twas the night before Christmas... Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.