Christmas #1 - Our House

This year the festivities started at our house on the 23rd. We had a leisurely morning starting to pack for our upcoming trip to the grandparents. Then, we started on our family traditions:

1. Presents under the tree! Jr. Princess's favorite, by far, was her new mermaid tub toys. We didn't need a bath in the afternoon, so we set her up in the bathroom sink and she played in the bubbles for at least an hour!


2. Appetizers (mini tacos and cheese and crackers) followed by playing with presents and getting ready for a special dinner (fabulous steak, twice-baked potatoes, asparagus). M&M Dad tried a new balsamic vinegar and mushroom glaze which everyone loved. And the girls love that this day they get to drink sparking juice out of the champagne glasses and we all make toasts.

3. A drive to look at Christmas lights while eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate. (Yum!) The big snow storm had started but luckily the roads were still drivable.

4. Then the kids went to bed like angels because we had nicely asked Santa to come to our house early on the 24th so we could head out of town. I love the look of joy on their faces:

5. We tried tried a new recipe for Chrism as morning breakfast - monkey bread! It couldn't have been easier since it proofed on the counter the night before - and good thing because we had to get up and get moving to brave the snow storm on the way to Wisconsin. The girls loved it and we're all happy we have plenty of extra ingredients to make it again for New Years' weekend.

I love spending Christmas (or at least whatever day we deem as Christmas!) with the M&M Dad and the girls!