Christmas Eve

Oh Christmas Eve! The happiest (and saddest) day of my year. I try to just enjoy it and soak it all in, but in my heart I'm always a bit sad because I know it's almost over. Mr. Scrooge Phillips--my dearly beloved--isn't such a Christmas lover and can't wait for the whole season to be over so he can get back to his normal, boring life. (Okay, I added the "normal, boring life" part. He never really said that, but his feelings about Christmas aren't nearly as tender as mine.)

Back to the post...we started out the day in SLC with Greg's family. We were able to present Grandpa Willy with his Christmas gift. The neighbor across the street is a big Utah fan and mostly we just wanted to torture him every day of 2012. Nice, huh? (Dear Bruce, I don't know if you ever read this blog, but you know we love you. We just like to pester you.)

We got home just in time for the Maughan/Wright 81st annual Christmas Eve party. (I'm not sure if 81 is the correct number, but it sounded good at the time and the party has been a tradition since my mom was a kid, so we're in the ballpark.)

I asked Garrett if he wanted to be a Wiseman or Shepherd in the Nativity scene. He couldn't say "Wiseman" fast enough and was so thrilled to give his gifts to Baby Jesus/Ella. Chelsea decked Abby out as the most adorable angel you could possibly imagine. She reminded me a bit of Gladys Herdmann--a whole lot of spunk dressed in white and completely irresistible! (Let's just say "angelic" isn't the first word that comes to mind when describing our little spitfire's personality...)The kids are always so cute getting ready for the pageant.

Showtime! Abby was a bit of a frowny/disappearing angel, but Garrett took his role very seriously and kneeled reverently in front of the Holy Family the entire time. He doesn't exactly specialize in holding still, so it was sweet to see him so excited to be a part of something he knows is special.

Next came the program...the best one yet. Just give the kids a microphone and get yourself a Diet Coke and sugar cookie and prepare to laugh your guts out.

This was an awesome version of "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas."

Sweet Gracie got held up on "Rudolph" and repeated the same section over and over. So funny! Cute little Easton!

This act was a little less hysterical and actually quite good.

Sean doing his best "Frosty the Snowman"/Jimmy Durante imitation.

Talented brothers!

A very sweet version of "Silent Night."

Then it was time for the "12 Days of Christmas" and the gift-exchange game.

These boys would have made Grandma Ila and Aunt Venice very proud!

Here's the highlight of my evening. Garrett and Abby have been slightly obsessed with the Chipmunks Christmas album this year. We have heard Garrett sing portions of the song before, but he's never put it all together like this. He told me he was going to sing "the one where David "Sebille" gets mad at Alvin" and walked up to the microphone. Enjoy!

I hope you laughed out loud, because I still do every time I think about it. The video ends early because I had to walk up to microphone and end his performance before he yelled "Alvin" again and permanently deafened somebody. (I'm not sure if "deafened" is a word, but I'm going for it.)