Christmas Eve was pretty quiet this year...which is exactly what we wanted. Last year's Christmas Eve was beyond hectic and exhausting, with Luke coming home from the hospital after his first round of chemo...just hours before Santa was to arrive. So this year, we cleared our social calendar and planned a wonderful day at home. The biggest plan was our Christmas Eve dinner, and Danny had something special planned. Our Christmas present for the family this year was a smoker! Danny and I have been wanting one for years, and the price was right this holiday season. So it only seemed appropriate that we smoke something wonderful for our Christmas Eve feast. And what's more wonderful than prime rib?! :)
Danny loved and cared for that meat all morning. He seasoned it himself, and lightly smoked it using cherry wood. We didn't want an overwhelming smokey flavor to the meat, just a hint. But we wanted to cooked low and slow...all day. And it did. And all I can say is my man is good at what he does! Have you ever seen a more gorgeous piece of meat?!
It seemed like it took forever, but finally the time came for us to eat. None of my siblings were traveling home for Christmas this year, so we invited Grandma Candy to come to our house for Christmas Eve dinner and to stay the night with us. That way she could enjoy waking up with the kids on Christmas Day. For Danny, this prime rib dinner was a throwback to when he was growing up. His family used to have a candlelit prime rib dinner on Christmas Eve, so he broke out the candles and we enjoyed our feast by candlelight. The kids thought it was so cool!
Candlelight or not, you couldn't possibly ask for a more amazing meal. Danny's prime rib was the single most delicious piece of meat I had ever tasted. And I'm not just saying that! It was perfect! Paired with baked potatoes and salad, it was a regular steakhouse special...for about half the price. I taste a new tradition... ;)
It may have been so delicious that all decorum was forgotten, and Danny became a carnivorous wild man. Can't blame him though...the meat against the ribs is the best part!
After dinner was done and cleaned up, it was time to get the kids to bed. Santa was on his way! Claire insisted that she was big enough to get Santa's milk and cookies ready on her own. Believe it or not (which I didn't), she was! It hurts my heart that she's growing up so fast.
Because of the floor plan of our home, we have to sleep the kids in our room on Christmas Eve if we're going to keep them from getting to the tree before us in the morning. It's made for a fun tradition, though. The Christmas Eve Family Sleepover, the girls call it. Claire and Sophie were excited for Christmas and ready to get to sleep so Santa could come.
Johnny was, too! And he wasn't messing around...Santa wasn't going to catch him with his eyes open. Johnny wanted his presents!
Luke had absolutely no idea what all the fuss was about, but he thought it was pretty exciting that everyone was sleeping in his room! I'm pretty sure he sees it as his room now. Cute little stinker. :)
Ok, Santa...we're ready!
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