Lots of Celebrating on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve has always been my favorite day of the year. The build-up to Christmas is just so darn exciting, and the climax happens on Christmas Eve. Now that I have a daughter who was born on Christmas Eve the day is even more thrilling. Needless to say, it is a busy day of celebrating for us!

Our new two-year-old woke up happy and hungry for cinnamon rolls. I thought it would be special to attempt to make the Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls (for the first time) for her birthday breakfast. I made the dough the day before and then woke up early to roll them out and let them rise. So breakfast did not come in a timely manner, but I had a good distraction for their hunger. I got them to help me make peppermint ice cream for our dinner later that night.

The rolls looked great, but didn't taste great. They were a little bready, but I will definitely try them again. It's a learning process!

Nevertheless, our birthday girl enjoyed her breakfast birthday and was excited that Gigi and Pop Pop came over to join in the fun.

She wasn't sure what to think about her cinnamon bun being on fire...

Shocker #1- Of all the toys in the toy store, Collins picked out a purple mermaid for her sister's birthday gift. Shocker #2- Addie loved it because it came from her sister. 

Normally we try to limit Addie's nudity. But on the occasion of her birthday, I let her stay in her birthday suit most of the day. Here she is eating yet another cinnamon bun. 

My favorite moment of Addie's birthday was catching her sweetly singing happy birthday to herself while peering out her bedroom window. Her little voice sang, "Happy birthday to you- Addie Bear!". It was adorable in every way.

It's not hard for me to believe Addie is already two because she doesn't act like a baby anymore. All of a sudden, she can run, string four words together, successfully dress up and perform dances with Collins, and can hold her own on a playground. 

What I can't believe is how much joy Addie has brought to our family. She is fun-loving and makes us all more that way, she is funny and makes us laugh, and she is sweet and gives the best hugs of anyone I know, She is irresistible in every way. Happy birthday, Addie. We couldn't love you more! 

After the birthday festivities, it was time to prepare for the next celebration of the day...Christmas Eve. We were excited to go to the church service that afternoon and host Donna and Marty for a special dinner that night. 

Before church...

After church, Brian started grilling a large hunk of meat and the girls played outside. It was that warm...

I focused on things indoors...namely the decor, the bread and the chocolate (all the important things.)

I was brave or dumb to try two new recipes for Christmas Eve dinner. I had recently had some of the best bread of my life at Kindred in Davidson. It was called Japanese Milk bread, and I attempted to recreate it that night. Despite the dough not fully cooperating, it actually turned out pretty good!  Not quite as good as the bread I had that night at the restaurant, but a worthy start to our dinner. The food was delicious. Brian's prime rib was outstanding and so was the potato gratin and bacon spinach salad Donna brought. 

The flourless chocolate torte was a little undercooked, but tasty nonetheless (especially when topped with peppermint ice cream). I am not exaggerating when I say we felt physically sick after all the food.

Thank goodness we got a smile out of Addie before dinner's end because she was not happy at the beginning of our meal. Not so fun to have a toddler meltdown spoil all your efforts for a nice dinner, but luckily it didn't last long.

We allowed the girls to open up a couple of presents after dinner. The first package came from Aunt Connie and Uncle Charlie in Colorado. I love this sequence of pictures...it's the perfect example of the pure joy of opening a present you love. In this case, pink cowboy boots. :)

Addie watched all of this excitement unfold and started chanting, "Addie", "Addie", "Addie". She wanted a pair too! Lucky for her, a pair came from Colorado in just her size.

Marty got a laugh from his personalized wine tote bag...

and Addie got an upgrade from the magnet she normally makes calls with. 

It really blew Collins's mind when she opened her second present and pulled out Elsa high heels (her first pair of high heels). It was a REALLY strong start to Christmas for her!

 We baked Santa sugar cookies and then slathered them with nutella and sprinkles. But what was really cute is that Collins felt compelled to write Santa a note to go with them...

 

It said, "You are the greatest Santa in the world"...

I hope she felt that way when she woke up the next morning! Christmas Eve was a wonderful day for us celebrating in more ways than one.