Our family enjoyed a relaxing and fun-filled Christmas this year. Pre-Christmas preparations included lots of baking (family favorite: old-fashioned iced Grimes Christmas sugar cookies, which are from an cherished family recipe that includes lard as one ingredient!) and decorating gingerbread houses. Much to my mom's dismay (since she ends up doing all of the hands-on supervising), the kids have made decorating gingerbread houses with grandma an annual tradition. Amelia's house is on the left below and John's is on the right.
Amelia was really excited about decorating her house this year. She made a complete scene out of her creation that included a flower garden, river with bridge, a duck pond, and symmetrical decorations on the roof. The decor was quite detailed and creative! The gummy bears below are serving as flower gardeners, ducks (in the pond at the back right), and roof decorations.
After candlelight Christmas Eve church service, we came home for a light dinner and the kids left treats out for Santa and his reindeer. Plate of cookies on the left for Santa, carrots for the reindeer (with notes for each), plus a small glass of milk and a small shot of whiskey. I wonder if my kids will end up in therapy some day because they were asked to leave a shot of whiskey for Santa?
Photos taken at 11:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve before the adults finally got to go to bed.
The Christmas morning rule in the Wilson household is that presents can be opened after all adults have woken up, all adults that want to shower have done so, and each adult has consumed at least one cup of coffee, if desired. This year we started opening gifts around 9:30 (the kids had been up since 7:30), and Amelia and John were definitely excited to get started.
We enjoyed a post-gift exchange Christmas brunch of Egg braid, fruit salad, coffee cake, and champagne. Later that evening our Christmas meal included Scott's excellent prime rib (cooked on the egg, of course), family favorites potato dressing and corn pudding, and sides of green beans, mushrooms, gravy, and popovers.
We enjoyed a lazy Christmas day around the house that included exploring all of the new toys and games the kids received for Christmas.
The evening was topped off with lots of gaming by the adults and a delicious apple pie prepared by my mom. Not pictured: watching Elf several times, dozens of hours playing games (Clue, Sorry Revenge, and Quirkle were favorites with the kids this year), and other holiday family moments.
And last but not least, one last Merry Christmas photo from our family. Because nothing says Christmas like a huge LeBron Fathead, right?
OMG the giant head is killing me!!
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