Christmas Baking and Christmas Eve with the Mizeranys

Like every year, Myra loves to invite the kids over to make her infamous Christmas sugar cookies.  Since school ended later than usual this year, they couldn't get together until Dec 23rd.  The kids love to pick out their designs and decorate each cookie, and recently they even have been making gingerbread houses.

Frannie, Sara's little friend, joined the kids again this year, and the four of them along with Sara and Myra had a blast together.  Myra always goes above and beyond with new cookie cutters, and this year fancy gingerbread houses (each one was different).  The kids definitely loved their creations, and each came home with their unique house and a plate of cookies that they decorated themselves.

What fun memories our kids have with Sara and their grandparents.

Look at all of those cookies and those gingerbread houses!!

This Christmas Eve, we went to church at 4pm.  Though we arrived early, we sat in the narthex of the church since it was packed out and we wouldn't otherwise be seated together.  It was fine though, because we could see the beautiful sunset from our seats.  After church, we headed over to the Mizerany's house for some Lebanese snacks and our Christmas celebration.

Once everyone arrived, we did our obligatory cousin picture and then tore into the mountain of presents.  Everyone seemed genuinely excited about their items.  Steve and I received a case of Lebanese wine and some Lebanese beer from Uncle Dan, the kids all received cash from Uncle Dan and Mimi and Papa, in addition to a few other items.  Then, when everyone thought it was all over, Louis and Michelle went out to get the kids the gift they were giving all three... a pac-man arcade game! 

Of course they immediately starting playing the arcade game, and then Walker wanted his new punching bag set up (which we couldn't do), so we ultimately left to get ready for round 2 on Christmas Day.