The Week Before Christmas

The days leading up to Christmas were full of family parties, 

entertaining, and last minute Christmas preparations. The week FLEW by! 

I made the Ukrainian Kolach bread. I was too rushed this year, so it looked better then it tasted. One of these days, I will plan a traditional Ukrainian Christmas Eve meal (with the help of some details from my Ukrainian Aunt). However, this was not the year. Since Ukraine celebrates Christmas on January 7th, maybe I should plan ahead for next January??

We hosted our Virginia cousins for dinner and a gift exchange. Our tradition to exchange books for the kids each year is such a hit with so many readers! The adults enjoyed 15-20 minutes of peacefulness as the kids began their new chapter books (that is before the giggling, game playing, noise and chaos began!) 

I love having everyone crowd around our dining room table. 

Should have gotten the photo with the smiling, happy faces. 

Ethan decided to make all his cousins and some close friends parachord bracelets. He was a busy bee. 

We played outside in the rain on Christmas Eve. It was over 75 degrees!

 My little artist asked to be the official baker and cake decorator for Jesus' Birthday Cake. (A Christmas Eve post dinner tradition) I need to pass along more cooking responsibility to this talented young man. He is a quick study. He made this three layer white cake with white icing. It looked beautiful but the kids all agreed it was too sweet. 

And last but not least... a blurry picture of our Christmas Eve guests. Our tradition is to attend the Christmas Eve worship service at church (which was awesome!) and then enjoy a simple meal with long time friends.