Christmas Eve was a great day spent at home.

I started cooking when I got up,  and I cooked and baked all day long.  While I really enjoyed it, I didn’t anticipate that it would take me the entire day.  My Christmas Eve dinner menu was a little ambitious I guess.  We could have easily have fed 10 people.  But I wanted lots of leftovers for the next few days of relaxing and playing (and knitting!).

It started with the cranberries.  (I just love pictures of cranberries.)

I also made my first ever cake roll.  It was a sponge cake with toffee cream filling.  I have this awesome High altitude cookbook, and it had the greatest instructions on how to accomplish this at 5,000 feet.  Sponge cake is not easy for me at sea level, but it turned out great.  I have a food shot, although it’s not too pretty. A memorable moment for me though so I must include it.

Davey helped me on and off throughout the day.

Here he was a little upset with David.  David had suggested that we trap Santa.  Davey didn’t like this and became worried that David might have immediately gone to the “naughty list”.

We made spritz cookies.

Davey helped decorate.  He loves eating sprinkles, but don’t worry these cookies stayed within our family.  Oh – well except for Santa.

Davey played in the snow.

And Davey and David built a snowman.

Davey wanted to go the carrot nose route, but David got inspired to do some snow sculpting.

Finally it was time for dinner.  Here’s the food shot.

I have to highly recommend the brussels sprouts recipe.  I don’t know if it is possible to not like brussels sprouts when made with this recipe from Pioneer Woman.  (I also made her sweet potato casserole (without the vanilla) and her cranberry sauce.  I enjoy  her recipes!)

I told David and Davey that there was a living Nativity scene at a Presbyterian Church near our house.  Turns out I was wrong.  I don’t know what I was looking at, but we arrived just in time for the candlelight Christmas Eve service.  The church was almost full except for the very front row.  So we were encouraged to sit there.  Turns out this was a great thing because Davey had lots to look at during the service which was very nice.  He sat there so quietly.  He also sang along and made up words as needed.  He loved the candles too.

Then it was time for bed.

Cookies for Santa –  and Davey insisted that Santa drink from his favorite blue cup.

And then Santa’s helpers wrapped.

Merry Christmas!