Christmas Reflextion

This Christmas was amazing. Having my mom, brother, uncle and grandmother here at our home to spend the holiday was more perfect than I could have imagined. It has been several years since I was with my family at Christmas and I have really missed it. 

C and I baked and baked and baked this year. Russian Tea Cakes, Chocolate Rice Krispy Bars, Oreo Bark, Cranberry/Orange Bread, and Spiced Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. There was more I wanted to make...White Chocolate Popcorn Balls and Fudge but ran out of time. Either way what we did make was super yummy.

Our holiday started on Christmas Eve with a wonderful dinner made of brisket, ham, roasted potatoes, green beans, smashed spiced yams and some super yummy rolls my uncle brought in from a bakery in LA. Church service at C's school proceeded a few hours later and the girls did so well. the church was smart and made up bags for the little ones filled with crayons, a little coloring book, goldfish and a lolli. Defiantly helped keep them from fidgeting. We finished our night with several hands of 31. A traditional card game played in our family even before I was born. The girls placed their cookies and milk out for Santa and mini carrots for the reindeer. Then we stepped outside to sprinkle a glitter and rolled oats mix onto the grass. The glitter attracts the attention of the reindeer and the smell of the oats brings them to our front steps (so the legend goes). After the girls were tucked in and a sleep, Santa and his helpers went to work packing the tree with presents from friends and family from around the country.

 

 

Christmas morning came with a scream as C and M saw the tree light up and all the presents surrounding it.  C right away started looking for ones with her name and making a pile to one side. All the presents that were not hers were literally tossed to the side..lol Since we still had to wait for Great Grams and uncle Mike to show up we let them open their stockings after they had some breakfast. Just as they were almost finished digging into their stockings the last of our family arrived. Wrapping paper and beautiful ribbon began to fly.

 

 

When all was said and done the girls made out like bandits of course and this mama was excited to get her Christmas wish..well second wish....a Wii Fit Plus! Sweet! Needless to say this is how we spent the rest of our Christmas..hooked into the Wii. We had a Wii bowling tournament ( I kicked ass), and then took turns doing our BMI and Weight. Have to say I was very leary of this since I was allowing myself free rein on snacking and sweets..but it turned out great! It was a long night..errr morning? I was up until 0330 playing  with my hubby and brother. They stayed up until after 0400. Shopping with my mom and Grams that morning was not as fun as it could have been if I wasn't so tired and a little hung over...lol

All in all it was the best Christmas we have had in a very long time. Being able to be with people you love and who love you during this season is so spectacular. I hope everyone had the most amazing Christmas like we did, full of joy and love to last the whole year through.


P.S. Did I mention the puppy we just adopted yesterday?

Please welcome our newest member "Sookie"!

 

 

 

She is a 7 1/2 month old female lab mix. We just adopted her yesterday and she fits in so well with our family already, almost like she's always known us. Besides having 4 white paws and a white chest, she was born with a stubby tail which I find so adorable. She loves to snuggle on the couch and follows the girls (almost escorts them) when they go outside and she does not come back in until they do. Her temperament is wonderful and she is so gentle. The girls hug her and love on her and she soaks it up. She is not potty trained yet but at least she goes on the wee wee pads when in the house. Today we all walked down to the park/playground and had a blast. Tomorrow we are going to go visit the dog parks in our area. Yet another wonderful thing about San Diego, all the beautiful off leash dog parks...and of course Dog Beach in OB!

However she is still a puppy and as such we had our first victim today.......