Holidays Part IV - Christmas Eve

 The weekend before Christmas, our family plus Uncle Tim got busy making Christmas cookies and treats.  Mommy, daddy and Uncle Tim made Chocolate Mint Brownies, Bourbon balls, Super Dupers and Corn Flake Wreaths.  The girls made Reindeer Munch.

Kaitlyn and Madelyn break apart the pecans for the reindeer munch.  

Reindeer Munch Recipe:

Popped Popcorn - 3 100 calories bags or 7 cups
1 cup pecans, broken into pieces
1/2 cup raisins or dried cherries
1 20-ounce bag mini marshmallows
1 stick of butter
Chocolate chips and M&M's

Instructions:  Preheat oven to 250 degrees.  Line a large baking pan with sides with parchment paper or tinfoil (spray with Pam).  Mix the popcorn, pecans and dried fruit in a large bowl.  Meanwhile, melt the marshmallows and butter in a microwave safe bowl.  Start at 70% power for 1 minute. Go to 30 second intervals until melted and almost boiling.  Immediately pour mixture over popcorn, pecans and dried fruit. Mix well.  Pour on baking sheet and place in oven.  Bake for 15 minutes, flip and bake for another 15 minutes.  Allow to cool on sheet and break into pieces in air tight container.  Add M&M's and chocolate chips.  Leave out for reindeer.

Kaitlyn is ready for Christmas Eve service.  We captured a few family shots before we left.

 Love this picture with Uncle Tim!!

 Daddy and Uncle Tim got ready to make Latkes.  The corned beef was nearly and smelled delicious!!

Kaitlyn took this picture. 

The girls enjoyed a Super Duper cookie after dinner.  We also watched one of our Christmas DVD's.

 Part of our Christmas Eve tradition involves opening one gift before bed time.  The girls were so excited to finally open a present!

Kaitlyn received an American Girl doll from her Gamma Linda.  As you can see, she was very excited.

 Madelyn received a miniature American Girl doll from Gamma too.  Now she can be like her big sister!

 Kaitlyn got the plate ready for Santa and his reindeer.  She selected a nice array of cookies for Santa along with some vegetables and reindeer munch for his trusty helpers.

 Kaitlyn drew a picture for Santa.  Clearly Santa isn't a big celery fan.