A Very Merry Christmas

Highlights included:

Sugar cookie decorating with some of our very favorite cousins and eating lots and lots of frosting.

Christmas Eve dinner of Pancetta-wrapped Beef with Mushroom Stuffing, Twice-Baked Shrimp-Stuffed Potatoes, Brussell Sprouts, Pudding Rolls, Pomegranate Salad, Jonathan's favorite Pink Jello Salad, and lots of Bubbly. Oh and Chocolate Pie!

A week before Christmas Maddy and I happened to be watching the Paula Deen show and Maddy insisted we try the Shrimp-Stuffed Potatoes for Christmas Eve. They were divine.

Re-enacting the Nativity. I absolutely love this part each year and the spirit that is in our home when focusing on that night many years ago when Jesus was born.

The kids unwrapping one gift before bed.

Christmas morning we opened our stockings before going to church.

I try to do at least one handmade gift each year and this year it was for Maddy. Lots and lots of hair things and headbands. She was thrilled, which made it all worth it.

Church was a great way to start off our day and remember why we were celebrating. The music was beautiful and the words thought-provoking and meaningful.

(Madelyn's Christmas...a new razor scooter and press dough machine)

The kids could hardly stand to wait to open their gifts from Santa when we got home.

(Evan's Christmas...giant spiderman and web shooters)

We do the gifts in categories: WANT, NEED, WEAR, READ. The wants and stockings and needs are from Santa. The rest is from Mommy and Daddy.

(Lukey's Christmas...a walker, balls, clothes, and shoes)

Love the socks Aaron!

Busy working on brunch. Maddy also requested homemade cinnamon rolls. It was my first time making them and we LOVED them. Thanks Pioneer Woman!!

Also on the menu...Citrus Fruit Salad and the traditional Scomboli

My dad found his gift from us in his breakfast.

Look at those smiles...it must be Christmas morning!!!

The kids enjoyed making and giving gifts to one another too.

I think Evan has plenty of Spiderman things now!

Merry Christmas 2011!