Merry Christmas Eve!

We celebrated Christmas Eve with Steve's family at his sister's house this year. Before the festivities began, we were able to get some nice photos of our family in front of the tree and on the staircase.

Our happy family

On the stairs

After having a wonderful dinner, we headed downstairs to open gifts. Samantha really enjoyed opening her presents (the paper is now much more fun to rip since she celebrated her birthday a month ago and got a lot of practice then).

Helping Daddy open his new coffee maker

So excited about her new Sesame Street puzzle from Grandma and Grandpa

My sister-in-law started a tradition many years ago where her children open a new pair of pajamas on Christmas Eve. They wear the pajamas to bed and then they have nice PJs on for photos the next morning after Santa has been there. I liked this idea and started it last year with Samantha as well. This was her second year opening pajamas on Christmas Eve ... she was so cute!

Opening snowman PJs from Mommy