Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is my favorite holiday. It may not be on most people's list of "official" holidays, but I love it. It's been a Jackson Family Tradition for years to have a smorgasbord of Mexican food, a Christmas story by my mom, special numbers by the kids, and finally, the kids act out the "Christmas Story" while my dad reads it out of the scriptures. (This year Quinn took over as the reader). Thanks goodness Quinn, Michelle and their kids come over so that we have enough kids to fill in the roles. Actually this year, Lauren and Mimi had to play the angels, and then turn around and be the wisemen as well. We missed having Kell's boys there to add to the cast.

Our night winds down when everyone goes home and we sit down as our own little family to open the gift that Carol sends each year for Christmas Eve. This year, she made a little scrapbook of sayings from recent conference addresses. She also gave us the next addition to her life story. I look forward each year to open the Christmas Eve gift.

This year, the kids and I sat up reading Carol's story and LAUGHING at the stories of Ryan. He was kind of dozing off, but pretty soon I saw his sarcastic grin spread over his face. Of course, I like to add in my own comments much to Ryan's chagrin. He is hoping and praying that one of my parents will write a life story so that he can get revenge by making fun of me one day.

And then we topped it all off by sleeping in-all the way to 7:00! I love having older kids. OK, I'll tell the truth. I woke up at 6:00 and waited in bed staring at the ceiling until Lauren finally came in to get me. Who's the biggest kid in the house?!?!