Christmas Recap

Ohhhh it was a good Christmas this year!

It was relaxing, fun, tasty, not-too-fast, not-too-slow, magical, wintry- and.... just nice.

Here is my photo recap- I will be back later in the week with some AMAZING recipes for y'all!  The food this year was some of the best!!!

We started celebrating last weekend with D's family.  We decided a few years back to simplify things and we go to his family on Thanksgiving- and mine on Christmas (and we do Christmas with his family the week before).

At Grammy's we visited with family and friends, and attended the children's Christmas service at her church after feasting on some delicious food!  We i.e- Moses almost lasted the whole service;)

For this week's Christmas celebration- we started the weekend off having a leisurely Christmas Eve day at my parents house out in the country.  It was the most relaxed Christmas we've had since becoming parents...hands down.

I know I've talked about my mothers decorating in previous posts- but I thought I'd share a few of my childhood favs-  country Christmas decorations...perfect for their old farm house.

While we cooked and baked and nibbled on sweet goodies- Z chilled in front of Rudolf with Daddy (first time watching it- she was scared of the snow monster:(

and the little man wandered the house- getting into just about everything he possibly could.  Here he is looking at the birds out in the back yard (while smashing his half eaten apple into the window....sorry Mom)

After Mosie's nap and opening some gifts we headed over to my Aunt and Uncles for our anual Christmas Eve celebration (with Mom's side of the family).

Here's my Grandma Phyllis, holding cousin Melinda's sweet, sweet angelbaby Benjamin (only 5 days old!)

Here, there was more delicious food- lots of silly business...

           

and, of course- SANTA!!! 

Now- if you know me- you know that I have been battling with the whole Santa-thing as my children get older and aware- but the look in little Z's eyes in the picture says it all- pure magic:)

Then- we went home and put the babes to bed- and prepared for Christmas morning....

My little gadget guy had a hay day with the kids digital camera

(I will post some of his pictures another day...I promise:)

Zella made us this lovely ornament at school...so sweet!

She also made these amazing snowmen for various family members-

I have a thing for children's art- being a former art teacher- but these are just too cute right?!  Here's my favorite, check out the ridiculous little nose...

Sorry for the tangent- back to Christmas...

and if you are still reading- BLESS YOUR HEART

This is why I was so frazzled the other day- Christmas around here is a 2 week marathon ...

After Christmas morning at our house we went back to Mom and Dad's neck of the woods to spend Christmas day with Dad's side of the family- where we had- hands down- the best meal of the YEAR- that's right- all of 2010.

Oh- was it good!!!! (like I said- I will do a followup post with recipes- but I must say- the yellowish portion at the top right of my plate was this INSANE corn casserole that Mom tried this year for the first time and it was unreal- like, I've been dreaming about it;)

Here's my other Grandma- Grandma Jennie. 

I feel so grateful and blessed to have been able to celebrate Christmas this year with both of my grandmothers. They are such strong, special woman- and they have both had some health issues this year- so it made it an extra sweet Christmas all around!

Here's the hostess with the mostess:)  Mom- YOU ROCK!

Zella was in RARE-FORM.  Here she is about halfway through her 35 min. set- performing her rendition of The Itsy Bitsy Spider.

After much merriment (and entertainment) along with a fabulous dinner- we moved onto dessert.  And in my family- when it comes to dessert- we DO NOT PLAY!

Celebration of  family, new life, health, togetherness, magic, spirituality, giving and living.

It was indeed a very merry Christmas this year!