At least we saw the tree

Our plan for today was to head to Macy's downtown and eat lunch at the Walnut Room. I'd been told it's not crowded on Christmas Eve. We got to the store about 10 a.m. and could have walked right in and sat down for breakfast. However, we decided to get a pager for a seating at noon. We walked around the store for a couple of hours. The kids liked this huge nutcracker. I think it cost $2,000!

Noon came and went with no buzz from the pager so we headed to the restaurant, turned in our pager and were told to get in line. The line was enormous and slow! We guessed it would have taken at least two hours to get seated and we're still wondering what good the pager is if it isn't to get you a seat quickly.

Despite some grumbling from the kids (especially E) we left the store and decided to get pizza instead at Lou Malnati's. We got seated right away and were able to have their lunch specials since it was a Monday.

After lunch, we walked past the German Christkindlmarket and L finally bought her fuzzy rainbow hat that she's been wanting since we were there last time.

At night, we went to church for the Christmas Eve candlelight service. We only light the candle for Silent Night and one reading. Too bad we can't keep them lit longer.

Once we got home we let the kids open one present - their new pajamas that they expect every year. B and E got pajama pants - B's even have mooses on them! Course, we still had to wear his old blue moose pajama top with them.