Armstrong Christmas Eve Party

Thursday, December 24th--We started a wonderful tradition last year! Nate's parents, Dan & Rosemary, reserve the clubhouse by their home. The clubhouse is perfect for holding most or all of us (when we're all together we total 22). It has comfy couches & chairs, a kitchen, tables and the family favorite.....a hot tub! Yes, some are crazy enough to make the cold, snowy walk to the hot tub. Some of the crazies even play in the snow making snow angels and whatever else! Nate also brought a new game that was an instant success. He bought Simpsons Scene-It. The Armstrongs are HUGE Simpsons fans so they had a great time playing. For the kids, I did the same thing I did last year and ordered some fun crafts & activities from Oriental Trading Company. There was plenty to do, including some gingerbread houses my SIL, Jenny, brought for the kids to decorate. Everyone brought yummy snacks to munch on. For dinner we always have a big pizza feast. This year many of us were still full from the snacks so there was plenty of pizza that didn't get eaten. Thank goodness for leftovers! After pizza we all gathered to open presents and listen to the Nativity story. It was a great party, as usual. Something we look forward to all year. We are truly blessed to have family close by and to be able to have these wonderful get-togethers.
We left in time to get the kids home to open their Christmas Eve pajamas and do a few things before bedtime. My parents got back to our house and we sat down to watch the Nativity video and then talk a little about the story of baby Jesus. After that we went on-line to find out where Santa was--he wasn't quite in the US yet. Elise and Brady rounded up some cookies, carrots and milk. They have a special plate for Santa and a special Christmas cup for him to drink his milk out of. The kids went to bed willingly, quite excited for the next morning!