Christmas Eve at Home

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This was our first Christmas Eve spent with us just as a family. Everyone was a little sick, so it was a very low key day. I still wanted to do something special and different. Something we could make a tradition out of. I'd seen signs for sale advertising fresh crabs for sale. So, while B was sleeping, Thomas and I snuck of to the grocery store and had a real adventure. He loved seeing all the live crabs, lobsters and other fresh fish. It was lots of fun for the two of us. He helped me pick out some other things to go with the crab, but couldn't wait to get home and see our crabs move around the sink.

We got Jared involved in the excitement as soon as we walked in the door. He was already to see these guys in action and wake them up from their nap (I told him they were sleeping while we were in the store so he would stop poking the bag to get them to move!)

We had never dealt with live crab before, so Jared hopped right on the internet and researched just what we were suppose to do with these guys. He got them all cleaned up and ready to go!

Thomas in awe and loving every moment of the whole process. He couldn't wait to see the crab go in the pot. I was afraid he'd be traumatized and not want to see the crabs he'd seen swimming in the sink go in the pots, but he was into every step of the process.

There they go!

It made for a delicious meal! One we cooked with our new pots and pans, thanks mom and dad!! We had a great time sitting at the fancy table as a family and enjoying our special dinner in our cozy clothes. Thomas didn't want to eat the crab in the end, but he sure enjoyed watching us dig in.

After dinner we met up with Jared's parents at their church for a beautiful Christmas Eve service. Another first for our family. Can you believe in all these years I've never gone to one. Our church just never did it growing up. It was a beautiful service. Complete with a choir, scripture reading and joyous singing from the congregation. A great way to celebrate the birth of our Lord and prepare our hearts for the celebration.