A Virginia Christmas

Jeff and I decided that this year we didn't want to drag all Anna's gifts and stockings and such out to Utah for the holidays. So, we decided to have our family Christmas celebration before we left. Jeff had the 19th off, so that became our psuedo-twenty fifth.

Our "Christmas Eve" celebration started after Jeff finished work on the 18th. We picked up some dinner and headed back to our apartment. After dinner we got in our pj's and I prepared some traditional Christmas Eve food: little smokies, carrots & dip, sparkling grage juice, chocolate.

Then we talked about the nativity, and acted it our with our nativity set. Anna was so cute with the Baby Jesus.

Then we opened a family gift, The Night Before Christmas, aka Santa Book. Anna, in true Anna fashion, had to read the whole book herself before anyone else could look at it. Then we were able to read it together.

Finally, Anna opened one present. It was Jeff's gift to Anna and she was over the moon. It was a DVD of Mickey shorts. So, we all pulled up a chair, ate some goodies, and enjoyed some Disney classics.

"Christmas" morning we got up and tried to clue Anna in to what was going on. We told her we were going to go downstairs to have a party. She somehow understands that concept on a really basic level. She at least knows that they are fun. We headed downstairs and started with Anna's stocking. She was so methodical and deliebrate as she pulled things out. (She's definitely her father's daughter.) Each item she pulled out got a full inspection before moving on to the next. She lined up each item as she went. So funny! I was hoping for some big excitement, but that's Anna for you! It took us pretty much all day to open Anna's gifts because she only wanted to open one present at a time and then play for a while.

While Anna and Jeff were playing, I made a Mountain Man breakfast (Jeff's request). It was tasty! We hung out most of the day and took it easy. It was WONDERFUL to have Jeff home after a busy month of interviews, homework, finals, and work.

We finished off our day with pizza at Mary Angela's Pizza in Carytown. It was delicious! I think we've found a new restaurant to frequent. It's kind of a dive, but the pizza is awesome. We browsed a little in the shops after dinner and ended up buying a Christmas ornament to remember our Virginia Christmas. It is a jingle bell with a cardinal (the state bird) on top and it says "Christmas in Virginia."