Christmas Eve with the Hollingsworth's

Every Christmas Eve we spend with my family. It has been a family tradition since the beginning of time that we have a big breakfast dinner on Christmas Eve. Many years ago we then started going to a movie on Christmas Eve. One of the newer movies in the theater. We would then open our pajamas that night. Since we are all grown and mostly married, we now open gifts that we got for each other and some from my parents or other relatives (uncles and aunts). This year we went to Alvin and the Chipmunks. Now that we have a toddler in the family (and more kids here on out), our movie selection has narrowed to what will entertain a toddler. This movie was absolutely hilarious. We all loved it so much, including Gunnar. It held his attention for the most part as he moved from one aunt or uncle to the next, eating anything sugary on his way.

After that, we headed to my parents for our breakfast dinner. We always have cottage cheese crepes and bacon and eggs. Recently it has been expanded to a french toast bake thingy and now an egg casserole that was really good. We then opened our gifts.

Gunnar opened his new cute pajamas. I bought them at Old Navy last year really cheap. It pays to plan ahead. In this picture, he was being so silly. I have no idea what he was doing.

My little sister Mindy and her fiance Dan, had us for Christmas and we had them. They gave us games both adult and kids. This is one that Gunnar received. Jeff is not a huge game person but he LOVES the handheld Catch Phrase. They gave it to us. Boy is he thrilled.

My dad found this funny RoboBug from Radio Shack and gave it to Gunnar. It moves and has touch sensitive antenae. Gunnar was interested but mostly a little frightened. It was really funny and the little bug was actually quite entertaining.

So what could be in this huge box for Gunnar that grandpa was absolutely thrilled that Gunnar open up this night? I had no idea really. Gunnar was so good at opening presents. He knew exactly what to do and would not get excited about the gift until all of the paper was off. Last Christmas at 9 months old he knew what to do, so he was a pro this year. So what is in that box...

Two professional bongos! Here is one of the them that they are playing on. Gunnar and my dad were just going at it. My dad has an adult size drum set and Gunnar just loves the thing. He is actually really good. He can keep a beat and does not make on them like other typical kids. He actually moves around the set playing each drum or piece on the set. My dad had been wanting to get him drums for some time now. Well here they are. The other bongo is an African looking one with a strap tp put over your shoulder. Gunnar just loves these and my dad thought that this was great. Read on to Christmas Day. It gets even better.