Christmas Eve!

So, here's the normal Christmas Eve agenda.
Christmas Eve service... followed by everyone in my family, including aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. gathering back at my mom's for dinner. Normally lasagna, or something of the non-traditional sort. Then, following dinner, we all get really loud and hyper... and I mean chanting, screaming, shrieking, any sort of racket that comes with the frenzy of over-eating a bunch of fattening food you never let yourself eat, and getting new stuff you didn't have to pay for. Then we open presents from aunts, uncles, cousins... extended family. This normally doesn't end until at least 10 or 11, which usually is followed by movies, baking or just hanging out until we all decide to go home and go to bed. This year was a bit different, as Niles' family was in town. Their holiday tradition is somewhat different from the Cole family. A wee bit more laid-back. And, shall I say, quieter. =)
They usually go to Olive Garden for Christmas Eve dinner, and then go home to open their one present to each other. That's it! Much different from the normal chaos and insanity that I'm used to. But also much appreciated in these past couple years!!
Since the Holsingers were in town this year for the holidays, we decided to go ahead and do the Olive Garden tradition, and end up at my parents' house around 9 or so to join the crazies.
Here are the first pics from Reesey's first Christmas Eve
The obligatory Christmas Tree pose...


Olive Garden with Grandad


With her Uncle Grayson, whom she is CRRRazy about.


Just as a sidebar... When we Holsingers arrived at my parents' home, everyone was already seated, waiting for us to get there to open presents. As we trickled in, my entire family started screaming and clapping. Needless to say, I think Niles' family was a little shell-shocked!! I, on the other hand, jumped right into the screaming pit and started dancing and screaming like everyone else. It was awesome.
But here's Reese, and my cousin's daughter, Kiana, sitting on my dad's lap. He is the ultimate Grandpa.


Something you never thought you'd see...