Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve. 

Good bye, Miracle! 

We had a slow morning because the church service we attended was at 11. I made brownies and a baked ziti for dinner that night and then got ready for church. I took a few pictures before we left, just in case Olive wasn't in the photo mood after church. I had asked my parents and sister if we could stop by after church for someone to snap a family photo for us since I knew we'd all be dressed up. 

In hindsight, I am grateful I took a few photos before we left because Olive was in fact not in a great mood after church since it was lunch time and she was (well, all of us were) hungry. 

These sweet brothers are such a gift. They wrestle more than they communicate with words and when they're annoyed with one another they can resort to kicking or punching, but they love each other and I pray their bond only grows (and the punching and kicking and wrestling maybe slow down a bit). They love one another deeply, and love to be together, even though they hate to admit it. 

Her go to pose. 

My mom and sister worked so hard to help us get a family photo even though some of us were hangry- some more than others (it was me, I'm 100% talking about myself). 

How did they get Olive to smile? They put this on their head. Naturally, once the photos were taken, she needed a turn with it on her head.

We ended up taking so many more photos than I intended to. It just kind of happened organically and I am so grateful because I love them all. 

Jack loved that Lee did this and Luca, who obviously needed a turn too, was genuinely terrified and clung to Lee's arm. That tracks to their personalities for sure. 

My guy. 

This is the best one I got of all three kids after church. See? So grateful I snapped the ones I did before church, even if they made us extra late. 

The only reason Olive is smiling here is because she was allowed to keep the huge blocks bag in the photo. Toddlers, haha.

Jack loves to be silly and make everyone laugh. And he cannot seem to take a photo seriously- without a few gentle reminders. 

Olive was beyond done and definitely didn't want to take a picture with me. 

But we tried again when we got home and Lee put a toy in his mouth to get those smiles. What a guy!

After church we went home to change, eat lunch, let Olive nap, and then pack to sleep over at my parents. Thankfully, all our gifts were already there so we just had to pack our overnight bags. Once Olive woke, we went to my parents and relaxed together before making dinner. After dinner we did siblings gifts and one gift from us to the kids (their pj's). 

Sibling gifts are my absolute favorite. They were when I was growing up too. We always did those after dinner and church on Christmas Eve, so I keep that tradition alive with my kids. The joy they have to give to one another is my very favorite. I love watching the gift giver most of all, because their joy is always bigger than the gift receiver. 

My mom in the background trying to open Olive's toy without scissors makes me laugh way too hard. 

Dressed in their new pajamas and ready for bed, full of excitement and wonder for what the next morning would hold! 

Gifts were put under the tree, stockings were filled, and doll furniture was built. We were ready!