Christmas = Peace, Love, and Joy

What a wonderful, yet relaxing celebration it was. Christmas Eve day was our busiest day. We visited my beautiful in laws at noon that day, and we had such a wonderful time. It was a bit hectic, but a blissful hectic with 8 little cousins running around ranging from ages 2 to 11. We enjoyed a turkey feast and then the opening of gifts shortly after. Dessert followed after that for those who still had room in their bellies for more. Grandma Karen (my mother in law) found them the most unique gifts. All of the older children were given marionettes that bared an uncanny resemblance to each cousin.


Everyone absolutely adored these! The 2 youngest girls were given sweet little doll houses that you could tell were going to be treasured for many years to come.

This year we found an equally unique and special gift to give to my beautiful mother-in-law. I shopped online at The Vintage Pearl and found the most perfect necklace for her.

It is called the layered circle of love and was hand stamped with all 8 of her grand children's names.
Later on Christmas Eve, we enjoyed dinner at my parents' home. Soon after we gathered around their beautiful tree to open gifts.

The girls were delighted (which may be an understatement) to open their gifts and find new lalaloopsy dolls to add to their collection.


The girls and I had made special Christmas ornaments for everyone this year. It has become somewhat of a tradition for us actually. Last year we made snowman ornaments made from infant socks, and this year we made cinnamon cookie cut out ornaments along with feather filled clear glass ball ornaments.

They turned out quite lovely I think.
We then had to hurry home so that we could set out snickerdoodles and milk for Santa and carrots for his reindeer and then it was off to bed. On our way home, we admired all of the beautiful Christmas light decorations.

Then 8 a.m. on the dot Christmas morning we were awakened by a very excited Xiera announcing that Santa had come! We rushed trudged sleepily into the living room to see what the jolly old elf had brought.

I believe there were two little girls who made it to Santa's Nice List this year!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and has a wonderful and safe New Year's this weekend.