Brandon's family had their annual "Christmas Under the Tree" night on Friday. This was the third year that I've gone and it was also the best year so far. The reason it was so good this year was that the little kids were able to participate. Last year they were either too little or too wound up to do much.
Christmas under the tree started when Brandon and his siblings were little. His mom started it as an outlet for Christmas anticipation (waiting all month for Dec 25th is hard when you are a kid) and a way to teach her children about the true meaning of Christmas. Even when the kids got older they continued the tradition, and now it includes grandchildren.
The night started off with a "South of the border Christmas Party for Brandon's Dad's side of the family. We had tacos and played games. We even had a pinata for the little kids.
Then after the extended family when home it was time for Christmas under the tree. We all got into our pajamas and met in the living room. Then Brandon's dad ready the Christmas story out of the Bible. As certain parts of the story were read different family members would place their respective Nativity Scene characters into the Stable. It was so cute to see my nephews set up the sheep and shepards so that every piece could see the baby Jesus. Brandon has been in charge of the wise men since forever so that was the part that we did.
After the Christmas story each family shared a Christmas themed thing. We showed a Christmas commercial and earlier we had set up my Grandpa's telescope to show everyone Jupiter and Venus.
Then Brandon's mom read us a Christmas story about two twins who try to catch Santa Claus. The book has some hidden glow in the dark pictures and the kids loved that.
The official part of the night ended with Brandon's mom giving out the ornaments that she hand painted. Usually everyone gets 1 ornament. This year she gave every family at least 5 ornaments. She started working on them all in the summer. (When we filmed DI Fever II at her house over the 4th of July weekend she was working on them)
After we were done in the living room we went downstairs to sleep altogether in the family room. I think we finally fell asleep around 1:30
It was so fun! Thanks to everyone for coming.
That was so much fun. I can't believe how quickly the family is growing. Did you get those pictures from Dad? I'll have to get copies. So cute.
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