christmas eve fun

the keenans spent christmas eve solo this year (so that the kiddos could wake up in thier own house/beds). at first, mom thought it might be a tad ho-hum, but it ended up being an absolute blast. the kids are at GREAT ages for the whole santa thing and they were as cute as can be, singing christmas carols and being extra good. here's how the eve unfolded:

a little play time in boxes (random, but cute nonetheless):
making (vegan...no milk, eggs, or butter but still pretty yummy) cookies for santa.
rolling the sicilian white cookie balls

while the cookies cooled after baking, the keenans took a trip to see the awesome christmas display at the millis wonderland. it was amazing and we got in with barely any wait! funny enough, though it was only 5:30 when we went, both kids fell asleep on the short drive there. we literally had to shake zack awake to see the lights!

back home -- time for some glaze and sprinkles!

we then began our annual (?) "making homemade popcorn" ritual. it's where we make homemade popcorn (the old fashioned way, in a pot) and eat it. what does this have to do with christmas? you'll have to ask tim, who came up with the idea. unfortunately, we have no photos of this exciting event ;)

ready for bed, out tiniest elf leaves cookies for santa and lettuce (all we had in the house...) for the reindeer.
mom and dad ordered sushi in and had a wonderful, relaxing evening. perfect prelude to what will be a busy christmas day.

merriest of christmases to all!