Silent Night, Holy Night... Mostly

I'm starting with this picture because it's sweet and it

captures the spirit of Christmas Eve.

It was the silent and holy part of our night.

Our other traditions are not quite so silent.

We began our evening with our knock-and-run Secret Santa project

and then moved onto the traditional Christmas Eve big sandwich.

Bruder now rivals his father in the making of a sandwich

almost too large to fit in a human mouth.

After dinner we donned our nativity costumes.

Bruder decreed that all the world should be taxed.

Cholita, our shepherd, looked sore afraid as our angel, Rose,

proclaimed good tidings of great joy.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."

It was the most important, most holy part of our Christmas Eve celebration.

And then came the jammies. Everyone needs a sleep tutu.

At least Cholita thinks so.

And then onto another tradition--the Christmas Eve jammie pyramid.

Hey, you have your traditions, we have ours.

The first three looked pretty stable.

And then it was time to add the littlest.

It went well....briefly.

And then it all....

fell.....

apart.

But there were no serious injuries and everyone snuggled up to watch

"It's a Wonderful Life" and we agreed that it is a wonderful life.

It was a perfect silent night....even if it wasn't perfectly silent.