Christmas Eve: Dinner + Nativity + Fondue

After our visit to the North Carolina Zoo we headed home for our Christmas Eve activities. First up was the traditional Olsen Christmas Eve dinner. One of the great things about this meal is that it can all be made ahead of time so I don't have to spend the night in the kitchen. I decided to skip the elaborate three-layer Christmas jello since I'm the only one that will eat it. Instead the kids cut nativity shapes out of jello. I don't know if a jello nativity is totally appropriate. But Oliver gobbled it up.

Our nativity production this year was a bit chaotic. Elsa was a very serious Mary trying to act alongside a completely crazy Joseph.

Joseph and Mary went off script here, wrestling on the floor, arguing about something. 

 Elsa insisted that Simon be baby Jesus. He enjoyed it for about 30 seconds.

 Joseph was not a super helpful husband.

 Amelia was a wiseman and a few other parts as needed.

After we had recovered from the nativity play, we had our traditional chocolate fondue and then the kids opened up new pajamas and set out some cookies for Santa. After they were in bed, Ben and I watched It's a Wonderful Life.