Christmas Eve was a wonderful day for us this year - although we were without very dear friends Christy, Brian, and Kallen this year. We have a few Christmas Eve traditions that keep our day full - we start with a visit to the Virginia Acquarium, lunch at Mahi Mah's on the beach (Smith family - three of us got sushi in honor of you!!), and church. the Virginia Acquarium has undergone a COMPLETE renovation, and it's really amazing. Graham actually received a one-year membership for Christmas, so we will be spending a lot of time there this year. We can't wait! Then, we hit Mahi Mah's for our annual lunch and sat at a different table right on the beach (we are typically such creatures of habit - sitting at the same table!) I actually waffled on which church service to go to this year. My parents' church has a bell service that kids can participate in - which is at the same time as our church service. One year we will do the bell service with Graham. But this year we went to our service, and it was my calm for the season. I so needed to just sit, listen, sing. Exactly the grounding I needed for the holiday to truly focus on Jesus' birthday and the reason we celebrate Christmas. It was a very special service for me this year.
Heading to church
Everyone came over to our place for soup after the service and Brian Regan DVDs - if you've never heard of him, I highly recommend. He's one of the best comedians!
Uncle Bear entertaining Graham
Graham's Ammi and Aunt Jo playing with him on his quilt (by far is favorite place to sit - don't know what it is about quilts...)
Yeah - my pictures are backwards - lunch at Mahi Mah's
Christy and Brian - Graham's working on his chopsticks for you guys!
Ammi - where's the smile?!
Outside the Virginia Acquarium
Mom and her sister - my Aunt Jo
Graham - did that shark eat you!?
Kyle and Barrett looking up at the giant lizards
The touch tank! (The Santa hat stayed on Graham's head a lot longer than I anticipated....)
The seals at the entrance to the Virginia Acquarium - Uncle Bear operated on their eyes last year!
2 comments:
That was the sweetest post ever!...
Wow, we missed you guys SO much. I LOVE our tradition---thanks for getting sushi for us :) And Graham, I'm really impressed at your chopstick skills---wow!
Your mom and Aunt Jo look beautiful...and Ammi too, of course!! And YOU too---as always!!
I love you and your family so much, dear friend!!
xoxoxoxoxo
LOVE Brian Regan! have you ever seen him in person?? we haven't, but have heard it's amazing!
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