Christmas Eve 2009

An ATTEMPT at a family picture before we went to Christmas Eve Mass.

My Grandma Velma (Dad's Mom) began making shrimp soup and oyster stew on Christmas Eve when my Dad and Aunt Marcine were kids. We enjoyed Christmas Eve dinner at her house in Casper my entire childhood. I remember sitting in Christmas Eve Mass thinking about going to her house to eat, open presents and then have cookies and her famous Christmas punch. We would have soup, appetizers and of course cheese stars. After dinner, someone would play Santa and we would then do a gift exchange with Grandma Velma, Grandpa Harold and Aunt Marcine and Uncle Bob. My Grandma (who taught first grade for years) is a wonderful cook and baker. She would make so many different kinds of cookies and candy. So after presents we would eat cookies and have punch with cherry ice cubes.

We have continued her tradition of shrimp soup, I have yet to make oyster stew, but maybe when the girls are a bit older. We do appetizers, cheese stars, cookies (not quite as many) and punch with cherry ice cubes. I loved these traditions as a little girl growing up, I know that Emma and Caitlyn will love them too. This year, Emma made the cheese stars and the cherry ice cubes.

Nana and Emma began a tradition three years ago of baking Jesus a birthday cake on Christmas Eve. We came home from mass and sang him Happy Birthday and had cake.

Cards from friends and family. The cookies are below. We told Nate that we were holding a spot for his card...he he.

Emma made trees for the table.