A Very Merry Christmas

Christmas for every family is full of traditions. Ours is no exception. Every year it's baking with Bing Crosby playing in the background, an open house on Christmas Eve where sometimes almost 200 people show up, Dad reading the Christmas story on Christmas morning to all of us in our PJ's, Mom overdoing herself with gifts (EVERY YEAR),Grandma's for brunch...the list continues. 

This year we lost friends and loved ones. The mood was a little more subdued. It wasn't about who bought who what, but that as a family we were together. That was all that mattered this year. The traditions continued, with a little more thought, a little more appreciation and a little more love. This was one of my best Christmas' because it was about family and what we have today. I hope you enjoy a little glimpse into our Holiday season, and I hope yours was merry and bright!

Christmas Eve started before the crowd arrived exchanging gifts with friends...

My little Santa Baby all ready for the occasion 

I'm amazed that it was 5 Christmas' ago that we had just gotten together. I'm so much more in love now!

 Christmas Morning--dad reading us the Christmas Story 

Cheerios and presents--what could be better?

My dad LOVES big T-shirts. Well, "Big" would be an understatement. More like huge.

Love the little faces on Christmas morning

 An ornament to celebrate the love of frappes...

I got a GORGEOUS new camera bag from my man!

 ...and quite a shock to me, a laptop! (Which I am using right now!)

Stockings are the best Christmas tradition ever. 

The aftermath!

At Grandma's for brunch. Every year it's egg casserole, biscuits and gravy, sausage, potatoes and french toast sticks. Yum!

Christmas just wouldn't be complete without the "gift chair" and each person taking their turn to "open". Oh, and grandma yelling at everyone to sit down. :)

A little shy about presents with so many people watching 

And lastly, a family picture of us on Christmas day! I hope you all had a wonderful season with your family and friends this year! After all that food, I'll be working on my New Years Resolutions...how about you? ;)

The Family Christmas Picture

"I am NOT wearing those shoes".
 "Seriously? THIS red shirt?"
"Does this make me look fat?"
"My hair is not working. At All."
"OH MY WORD. You need a haircut. Yes, I know we have to leave in 15 minutes. Just go."
"I will say it again. I am not wearing those shoes. No. I am not."
"NO FLIP FLOPS!"
"Your shirt has a hole in it. OK, it's fine, we'll just make sure it doesn't show."
"Ummm....are you planning on ironing that?"
"Don't forget the chairs! And the bench! YES WE NEED THEM".
"Organize everyone!"
 "The camera timer is starting!"
 "HURRY UP IT'S BLINKING! 10 seconds!"
"OK, only a few more."
"I'm moving because you insisted I wear these shoes and they aren't even showing."
"SMILE! STOP TALKING! LOOK AT THE CAMERA!"
"Are we done? This is taking forever".
 "Once more..."

 And........
 Waa Laa....

It's the Family Christmas Picture.

Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas from our Family to Yours! Family is especially precious to us this year. Enjoy every moment together! We love you all!