Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we went to breakfast at Drew's parents, iceskating, to my parents for lunch, and Heber with my Dad's side for dinner. Every Christmas since I can remember we have had Danish Pastry. I look forward to it every year and am slowly learning how to make it with my mom each year. My family celebrates their Christmas on Christmas Eve because Christmas Day is usually with inlaws. My dad is also from Germany and that's their big day to celebrate.

First we read the Christmas story

Poor Brayden broke his collar bone falling off a bed so he has had to learn to use his left hand for everything.

All the nephews and neice bribed to smile before they got there presents. I love these kiddos!

Opening presents
Kauner got a Nerf gun which was the main hit at the cabin later.

My mom is the hardest person to shop for because she never wants anything. I was doing my online shopping and came across this ginsu knife set and knew my mom never stops talking about her ginsu knives. I was so excited to find a present she really wanted but never knew it haha. Her excitement made my day.

Binnie with her new American Girl Doll

My dad made each of us this book about our trip to Holland Lake last summer. It was so fun looking at pictures and talking about memories.

My dad also gave us a cruise book he put together with all the cruise info and excursions to choose from. Along with the book we got our cruise tickets and a coupon for money to use on the cruise! So excited it's only 2 1/2 months away. I think cruises are the best vacations and I'm excited for Drew to experience his first cruise. Aw can't wait!!!

We also got a GPS for Christmas from my parents for vacations and because I always get lost. We have loved it already!

Me and Erin

Nats, Erin, Brynley, and me

Brynley was told she could only stay in the pictures if she smiled.. from the next couple pictures you can tell that didn't happen

All the Eysser girls and my best friends :)

We went up to Heber to my uncles Roland's house and fooseball was a big hit

They played a 2 on 2 and all of them were so competitive over fooseball that they had sweat dripping down their faces

Every year we have huge sub sandwiches for dinner and then play the candy bar game while someone reads the "right" and "left" story. Somepeople can't keep up and it's funny seeing how many candy bars they end up with by the end of the story. We also do a white elephant gift exchange with another story. This year we were supposed to bring gag gifts instead of nice ones.

Santa has come the last two years and then finally we sing Silent Night in English and German to end the night. I love Christmas Eve every year.

Brayden was not a fan of santa haha

Nixon

Brynley would actually talk to santa this year. Last year she spent the time bawling.

Nats got this Hershey towel from the white elephant and was excited cause they are moving to Hershey, Penn in June

Roland got live fish.. what a good idea!

Drew got toilet paper and I got a candy bra.. embarrassing. Everybody thought it was hilarious. It's even better because my aunt bought the candy bra at the german store haha.

Earlier during the day we had scones at the Putnam's and went ice skating at the Galivan center. We haven't been ice skating for a couple years so it was fun to try again.

Drew and his skills

Clarissa was dragged off the wall by Drew and Danielle. She did really good but her face in this picture is hilarious.

Clarissa and Danielle

We had such a fun Christmas Eve! We made the most of it and went with both families because

I had to work Christmas Day.

Brynley's Dance Performance/ Girls Day/ Cabin

We went up to the cabin after a big storm and it had blown the top of a pine tree off and it went like a dart through the deck.. crazy! (You can see the tree sticking out of the bottom of the deck right in the middle of the picture)

Crazy amount of snow up to my hip almost in the parking lot
We had a girls day with Robin, Crystal, Danielle, and Clarissa thanks to Richard. It was a blast! We went and got pedicures, went to lunch at Texas Roadhouse while Drew was working, and went shopping at Southtown Mall. We didn't know but it was the second busiest shopping day of the year so there were lots of sales! I'm so glad I got to join in on the Putnam family girls day!

I was told several times that I needed a manicure :(. Oh how I would love having fake nails again.. guess work is more important.

Our cute toes!

At Texas Roadhouse (we should have gotten the hot server in the picture:) )

Brynley had her first dance recital. She is so stinkin cute and she was so excited and proud! We went out to pizza after with the whole family and I got called off work so finally I didn't miss something because of work.

Brynley and Aunt Janny

She felt so special because she got to wear real makeup

My Birthday!

I turned 23 on December 10th.. getting old! I have always told Drew I hate having a December birthday because it just gets mixed in with Christmas. My parents were good to not combine gifts growing up but so many times people would just say this is your birthday and Christmas and it has always been a pet peeve. Anyways, Drew is good to make it separate from Christmas so I'm grateful. I guess I wasn't thinking when I got married because my birthday, Christmas, and anniversary are all within a month!

Drew took me to incredible pizza for my birthday and we had lunch and played arcade games. We ended up buying the huge glasses with our tickets for our keepsake. After lunch we went to a movie, shopping at the mall, and then to dinner at Olive Garden with both of our parents. I love love Olive Garden and choose to go there every birthday. Thanks for all the birthday wishes and to my family and drew's parents for gifts and dinner!

My favorite game show is Deal or No Deal so we both had to play it. Believe it or not it's still stressful when it's for tickets not money! Drew won 15 tickets and I won 75 tickets.