On Colleen's First Christmas Eve

Tom, Colleen, and I spent Christmas Eve at his parents' house.  It was a wonderfully relaxing day with family, church, good food, and traditions.

In the morning, Tom and I got one of our Christmas presents early-a new camera that also takes HD video.  We spent the morning taking a LOT of pictures and videos as well as checking out all the settings on the camera.  Here is one of my favorites of Colleen on Christmas Eve morning.  Thanks for the camera Andrea and George!

Around 4:00 or so, we went to Mass at the church Tom grew up in.

We, or course, took some classic in-front-of-the-tree pictures as well as enjoyed a delicious dinner.

Growing up, my Dad used to always read Twas the Night Before Christmas to us before we set out cookies and milk on Christmas Eve.  Tom and I decided to continue this tradition with our family.  So, before putting Colleen to sleep for the night, we sat down by the fire with Tom's parents and Christine and read.

And set out cookies and milk for Santa.

Tom and I both felt that this Christmas season was so different than any other year.  Even though Colleen is still to young to understand the joy and excitement of Christmas Eve, we couldn't help but feel the excitement for her. I'm glad that we've borrowed some traditions of our families as well as created a few of our own and look forward to many more Christmas Eves together.