A White Christmas

This Christmas was one of my favorite Christmases of all times.  The snow falling outside, a warm fire in the fireplace, relaxing in the company of family, and lots of smiles and laughter.

Is there anything sweeter than smiling, happy bedhead children on Christmas morning?

Jack and Will were so excited to see that Santa stopped by and left presents and not coal!  Whew!  Jack told me later that he was a little worried!  ha ha

Our big gift this year was a Wii!  I think we might have been the only family left that didn't have a Wii.  We are all loving it!  Will is a serious gamer.  Serious.  He is really good, and it is a bit amazing/scary (?) to see this gaming talent in a 4 year old.  

 Jack playing tennis, although he loves the boxing!  He worked up such a sweat that he had to take a break and get himself some water.

Daddy doing some bowling.  However, it was Mommy who proved to be the bowling shark with a high score of 179!  I think I missed my calling.

Will helping me unwrap his present to Brent and me.  It is an ornament with snowmen made from his hand print.  I love these handmade gifts from both Jack and Will.

The other favorite gifts were pillow pets.

  Jack got the dolphin and Will the monkey. 

This year, Brent totally surprised me with a Kindle.  I have loved my new toy and am already reading my first Kindle book.

Mom, Dad, and Grandmother came up Christmas morning to spend Christmas with us.  They made wonderful playmates for Monopoly Jr and Bug Bingo, and were great cheerleaders for Super Mario Bros Wii and Wii Sports.  

I was a little nervous about Christmas dinner because I was trying out several new recipes and I am not a natural cook.  Luckily, everything was delicious!  But then again, when you have Ree and Paula lending you their recipes, how can you go wrong?!?!  The menu was porterhouse steaks, Pioneer Woman's creamy mashed potatoes, Pioneer Woman's burgundy mushrooms, Paula Deen's macaroni and cheese, and craisin-feta-pecan salad.  Those burgundy mushrooms are to die for y'all!

Here are the men warming up the grill for the steaks.  Now that is culinary dedication!

 Brent had to grill just outside the garage because of the snow.

Dad was afraid that they would get snowed in, and he was going to have an office full of patients Monday morning, so they left Christmas night.   A short visit, but a great Christmas!

Hope that your Christmas was filled with peace, love, and joy!

O Come Let Us Adore Him!