Christmas Eve, 2010

It is absolutely gorgeous outside right now.  I told Curtis to take notice, because it isn't like this on Christmas Eve very often.  Snow is falling softly and steadily.  The city is glowing.  Everything is beautiful and magical.  It's like a postcard.  Or a movie scene.

This morning we were finally successful in chatting with Daddy via Skype!

Abuela and Papa arrived this afternoon.  We watched Christmas TV, baked goodies, made chili, ate goodies.

Church started at 4:30.  It was a very nice service, and we were amazed to be finished by 5:40.  Curtis and Carl both went up for the children's message.  Curtis sat and colored through most of the service, and Carl went to play in the nursery.  We sang "Silent Night" with our lit candles; one verse was in German.  Curtis concentrated very hard on keeping his candle straight.  I always think of my grandmother during "Silent Night."  At home, we always raised our candles on the last verse, which we didn't do here.  My dad was pleased that we sang "Thy" instead of "Your."  I got a little choked up, but I was very proud of myself that I didn't cry!

We drove home through the snowy streets and had supper.  Curtis was begging and begging to open presents.  So I finally let the boys open their Christmas p.j.'s and a Christmas book.  Curtis was pretty excited about his Super Mario jammies, and Carl squealed over his monster p.j.'s.  Curtis got The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (which he was reenacting all day), and Carl got The Polar Express, which Papa promptly got to read.

The boys are trying to share a room tonight.  Currently they're still giggling and chatting after almost an hour.