Merry Christmas

Hello Friends!  I hope that you have all enjoyed the holidays as much as I have this year!  I know I've been lazy about updating this blog (if there ever was any doubt, my Dad reminds me regularly); but things have been busy.  I know that's not a good excuse of course.  Apologies aside... here's how my Christmas has shaped up so far.

Wishing you and yours a Very Merry Christmas!!!

First you need to know that I am super traditional when it comes to celebrating holidays.  I love to be surrounded by family and familiar things.  So now that the boys are truly BOYS and not just babies, I knew that it was time to start our own family traditions.  I made a list (and checked it twice, of course), and here's what I've been doing...

Moving that silly "Elf on the Shelf" every night for the past month (well, almost every night - I forgot twice, which led to some curious morning conversations with Little Guy....

Listening to Orson Welles' "A Christmas Carol" on-line while frosting sugar cookies in the shape of snowmen and stars...

Singing old favorite Christmas songs at church on Christmas Eve.  There's not much that can compare to singing Silent Night by candle light...

Playing classic carols on Pandora all day, every day... and so you know - my favorites are the oldies.  If Dean or Frank or Bing didn't sing it... it won't be on my play list...

Helping Little Guy select just the right cookies and carrots to leave for Santa...

Reading "The Night Before Christmas" on the actual night before Christmas to my adorable boys...

Being "Santa" with Hubby late on Christmas Eve...

Waking at the crack of dawn to watch squealing boys open the gifts they found under the tree...

Savoring a yummy Christmas dinner of pot roast, potatoes, carrots and fluffy yeast rolls (all made by the most awesome husband ever)...

Watching "A Christmas Story" with Hubby while the boys played with their new toys...



Tucking in two tired sweet little fellas into their warm beds after a lovely (dare I say perfect) holiday...

Remembering the real reason for this blessed day...

the REASON for the season...