Tennessee Christmas Part 2

Christmas Eve was a busy day in the Neely household. Or, technically, a busy night. Being the first year that we have been back to Tennessee for Christmas, this is the first year that we experienced the newer traditions. Growing up, we would always spend Christmas Eve at my Dad's Mom's house - Grandmother- and then spend Christmas Day with my Mom's Mom - Grandmama. With time and age things have changed and it was so fun to be involved in the newer Christmas traditions. The first picture is of the Nativity:

I'm pretty sure that Lily and Tessa were Wise Men. Raven was a sheep. John took on the noble role of Joseph. Serenity was Mary. Breanna was an angel. Isabel was the donkey. And Isaac was the shepherd. William, however, decided not to participate. Boo! The story of Christ's birth was told and we all sang Christmas songs that pertained to the story. It was so fun and adorable to watch.

I can't remember why Lily was making that sad face. But, I had to put it on here because I thought it was funny.

Then, the night moved on with the traditional "Feeding the Reindeer" with bags of dry oatmeal and glitter. We do this so that the reindeer can have a snack while Santa is busy giving presents inside. Every year, we end up seeing Rudolph in the backyard scouting things out before Santa arrives. It's a kid favorite.


Thanks to Jamie, the kids were busy with a craft at least once a day. From Santa faces, to Christmas trees, to cookies to leave for Santa. They decorated the cookies on Christmas Eve to leave them out that night.


These were the cousins at Grandma and Grandpa's house on Christmas Eve in their pjs getting ready for bed.