Tales from the Taylors: Christmas Eve and Christmas

Growing up my family always had chicken cordon bleu, sparking apple cider, homemade rolls and usually a green veggie like broccoli for Christmas eve dinner. I found a chicken cordon bleu casserole recipe and decided to try it our for our Christmas Eve dinner. It was pretty easy and yummy too! I made some dip for the broccoli-mayo, mustard and lemon juice. Variah wanted to help me stir it and then she decided to taste it. She didn't hate it or love it, but man, she likes such crazy things!

Variah didn't like the sparkling cider too much

After dinner we put Variah in her new Christmas pajamas from Pop and Larlie. The little bum says Moose Caboose! The grandboys got blue ones that said Bear Bums. Variah played with her nativity set for a bit and then we watched the Living Scriptures DVD of Christ's birth. Daniel patiently listened to a door to door salesman talk about the Living Scriptures DVD set. After listening to the man's presentation, Daniel earned the nativity dvd. Nicely done Daniel!

She loves looking at the Christmas cards on the door.

We put Variah to bed and then put the gifts under the tree. We knew she would unwrap them if they were out any longer than Christmas. After we did that we read some Christmas stories to each other. I can't wait to read them with Variah, as of now her attention is only for board books.

Our crazy sleeper! Luckily we have a monitor that sets an alarm if she stops moving/breathing. So I guess she's okay to cover her head and sleep?!

Gifts from Santa

She came around that corner and RAN to her stuff! I turned the camera on and caught her just in time

She loves pushing her shopping cart around the house with various items in the cart!

Daniel and his stocking full of candy, Tostitos Chip dip, corn nuts and Tapatio

Variah and her stocking of Yogurt Bites and a new Straw Sippy Cup

The picture is kinda blurry of her hands, but that is because she is clapping she's so excited for the yogurt bites. She loves them that much!

We sure love her little voice!

Daniel and I bought a nice sound bar and sub woofer for our TV for our main gift this year, but still did a couple of gifts for each other. Daniel got some microwave Ramen cookers that we saw on Shark Tank (Daniel goes on Ramen kicks where he eats it every night for like a week straight), a sweater from American Eagle and some patterned dress socks. I got some bath bombs (bring on the relaxation), stuff so that I can do my own gel nails (foundation and top coat) and some wool socks. After opening up gifts we were ready for breakfast. I tried out a new recipe for a egg casserole in the crock pot. The recipe said to put everything in and let it cook over night. So that's what I did. Let's just say it over cooked-we had a weird morning with Variah waking up at 5:30, I rocked/slept in her rocking chair til 7:30. Daniel took over with her and I went to sleep until 9:00. So this is what breakfast looked like:

DELISH! We salvaged the middle, but it wasn't much. So much for that great idea!

We headed up to my folks place to spend time with family. Christian, Laura and Jack were in town.

The kids opening gifts for my parents house

The boys finished up the job

ABC book my mom made for each grandchild

Christian, Laura, Carter and Annie got my parents a new 50" TV. Both my parents actually got teary eyed! It was a great surprise. The girls and husbands renewed their Center Point play tickets.

We did a book exchange with the cousins. Variah got a Dr. Seuss ABC book and a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse book from Trey. She loves them both!

Variah loved playing with her cousins! Kisses and hugs were shared with all.

The day after Christmas we played some games at Carter and Annie's house while the babies slept and then we all met up at Temple Square to see the lights and look at Macy's window displays.

Just missing the McNeils!

Variah was a trooper! She didn't cry at all. She just sat in her stroller and enjoyed the sights!

We finished the night with dinner at City Creek's Food Court so everyone could choose what they wanted-great idea Chelsea!

On Saturday we all met up again at my Parent's house for dinner and hanging out. And of course we had to take a picture of all the cousins-Oldest to Youngest.