Merry Christmas Eve! I hope the majority of you reading this are enjoying a day off to relax (or last minute holiday shop…) with (or for…) loved ones.
Today we are up and at ’em extra early trying to get on Paris time, which is six hours ahead. We fly out this evening and are doing our best to get a head start on the whole time difference thing. We are scheduled to arrive early Christmas morning, so our master plan is to sleep on the plane the majority of the way over. Let’s just hope that doesn’t backfire!
To keep me occupied, I am working on a series of posts to keep you entertained while we are away. I believe we will have Internet access once we get to our hotel, so I’ll try to keep you updated and sneak in photos of what we are up to as much as I can while we’re there!
Candlelight Christmas Show
Scott and I met a few friends last night for a candlelight service at the church we have been attending since moving up here a year ago. Since we started dating back in 2008, Scott and I have always gone to a Candlelight Christmas Eve service. Last year we ended up taking a spontaneous trip over to Chicago, so this year we were hoping to get back into the tradition.
Coincidentally, Alex – a friend and teammate of mine – invited us to a Christmas show that included one on Christmas Eve Eve.
I loved the performance and it reminded me of when I used to be a part of a production at our church back home in Orlando called The Singing Christmas Trees.
After the opening singing and dancing portion, the show went on to a creative drama scene and message from the pastor, closing with a candlelight singing of In Excelsis Gloria. It was beautiful.
After the show, we gathered in the church lobby and took advantage of their set up trees and props photo area. Because really… why wouldn’t you?
That extra long Santa hat Scott is sporting is ridiculous and I am kind of jealous he got to wear it. (Says the girl wearing a white fuzzy beard.)
We all parted ways soon after and Alex met us at our house along with a few other close friends for dinner. Scott had something delicious on the menu!
(Caprese salad + Pesto Pasta)
(Recipe will be coming to you soon!)
We also devoured a few platefuls of warm brie and crackers, salsa and chips, and baby carrots dipped in hummus. I have come to the conclusion that snacking might actually be a hidden talent of mine, and I’m at peace with it.
As the night went on, we somehow ended up getting the idea to open all of our Christmas presents under the tree since I had a feeling we might want a few of them for the trip. (Santa just so happened to come early this year. He’s good like that.)
Scott and I took turns opening the small stack of presents we had wrapped for each other, but I found the greatest joy watching Roadie and the kitties “open” theirs.
Roadie loved and may have already destroyed most of his presents. Anddd the cats’ presents too. I swear he thinks he is the only child around here. When he stole the cat nip play ball away from Aspen, we had to put him in check by only letting him have one toy and one treat for the rest of the night.
It reminded me of what my parents used to do with me and Halloween candy. Do you remember how hard it was to ration that out? I always made piles and saved my favorites for last.
Just for fun, we took bets on which cookie treat Roadie would go for first: the gingerbread man, the Christmas tree, or the bone. Any guesses which one he picks?
I picked the gingerbread. Eh, you win some you lose some.
We ended up chatting the night away and didn’t say our goodbyes until the wee early hours of the morning. I guess that’s what happens around the holidays… catching up on quality time with those you love.
We are missing getting to spend this time with our families, but are making the best of it with our “Michigan family” up here. We are very thankful for them!
Here’s hoping you have a great rest of your day. Time to get moving and pack already… Au revior!
Questions of the Day
• Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions with your family?
• If you aren’t celebrating, what holiday or plans are you looking forward to?
Jess
Your dog is adorable!!! Enjoy Paris!!
Heather
Ha, thank you!
Liz
Hi Heather, can you please let us know where you got your blouse? It is so cute!
Heather
Sure, I ordered it online from ModCloth last year. Not sure if it’s still available, but they have tons of similar ones! 🙂 http://www.modcloth.com/shop/blouses
Miranda @ Lovely Wife Lovely Life
I LOVE candlelight Christmas services! They’re so powerful! Easily my favorite church service all year 🙂
Heather
Same. I love Easter service as well, but nothing beats singing hymns in the candlelight!
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake
Love the video with Roadie–dogs are the best! Have fun on your trip!
Heather
Ha, thanks! I couldn’t resist posting it. 😉