{Christmas Eve 2013}

As you all know from the past several years, our family really loves celebrating Christmas Eve in style. (see here, here, and here) We start by planning and picking out new food ideas.  Then we purchase any ingredients not already in our kitchen.  And the day of, we start the cooking- and is it ever a party! (for Mitchell's perspective on the evening, visit here)

cutest little cook EVER!!!!  

Mitchell helped Hudson with the food he made.  Or Huds helped Mitchell?  Or something.:)

Mitchell getting advice from an expert (that would be Mother.)

Of course Rebecca helped me make chocolates.

Mother didn't actually "make" anything this year.  She just ladled out lots of advice and help to those who needed it.  And she contributed a veggie platter, which we definitely needed.:)

This guy can really cook-just sayin'.  Actually, all "my guys" (that would be the fabulous six brothers) can really cook.  They make some lip-smackin mean-good food every Christmas Eve.

dark chocolate turtles in process

Taylor hard at work on his potatoes.

Fillin' mushrooms.

The kitchen- the center of activity for the day.

one of the many expressions of Liz, apparently.:)

a reminder of why we celebrate

Chels wore her "Kiss the Cook" apron.  It's so super fun to wear (I steal it sometimes) because these two adorable little men love to take it literally.:)  

Chels decorated the table beautifully with a black and white theme- very classy.

Josh usually makes something delicious and Mexican.  This year he didn't dissapoint with his delicious black bean-onion-cheese dip stuff that was so flavorful and yum.

Rebecca's hairstyle for the evening.

Chels made a delicious drink concoction of some sort that we all loved alot.  There was and is no recipe, but I think she put in lemon juice, grape juice, and sparkling water, among other things.  Oh, and she made some yummy "jalapeno popper" sandwhich things that were pretty yummy, too.

Ok, so, funny story.  A day or so before the event, while discussing food for Christmas Eve, Carson casually mentioned that even though he usually does fried onion rings or shrimp, he was thinking about doing something completely different this year.  And straightforwardly there errupted loud and decided protests from various family members about how he simply MUST make fried shrimp.  Hence, he is seen below frying shrimp.  The end.:)

Elizabeth's hair.

lovely place settings

The table, laden with all things delicious.

The family.

We always eat in candlelight.

//Black bean/onion/corn/cheese Mexican dip by Josh//

//Jalepeno popper sandwhiches by Chelsy//

//Peanut Clusters, Peppermint/Dark Chocolate covered Pretzels, and Dark Chocolate Turtles- first and last by Allison, pretzels by Elizabeth//

//Twice Baked Potato Skins by Taylor//

//Cheese Sticks (or Cheese Drips, or Cheese Flips, or whatever since they weren't very "stickish":) by Elizabeth//

//Vegetables by Mother//

//Jalepeno Mushroom Quasodillas by Denver//

//Stuffed Mushrooms by Denver//

//Fried Shrimp by Carson//

//Spinach Artichoke Dip by Mitchell and Hudson//

//Salami/Fresh Mozzarella/Tomato Skewers by Allison//

And after all the cooking and eating were over, we watched a movie together, and ended the night by (most of us:) sleeping on the living room floor.  It was a lovely day, full of memories we will cherish in years to come.  

"O come let us Adore Him CHRIST the Lord."

How thankful we are that Jesus Christ came to earth to set us free.  His love is far greater than any earthly love, His grace and redemption worth more than the costliest gift.  

{Christmas Eve 2013}
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