Christmas 2017

Holy Moly was this Christmas season a blur. We try and make a To-Do list during seasons of the year and most of the time it’s just a list and we don’t get around to all of it but for Christmas we hit on every single item on our list! This year we really tried to take in all Christmas activities with Grady since he is at such a fun age for it. Our list consisted of:

Making an ornament for Audrey

Going to see the lights

Going to Woolaroc

Making homemade fudge

Making hot chocolate

Watching Home Alone 2

Hosting a Christmas dinner

One of my favorite moments was when Grady and I made treats for our neighbors and passed them out. I love to bake and cook with Grady. What is that one saying “Let them be messy” blah blah blah. Anyways its so true let them be messy and they will soar. We made trail mix, fudge, and brownies with kisses on them. Grady was in charge of putting the kisses on the brownies and everyone got a few extra ones. That’s what makes it so special is the imperfect but perfect child touches.

We of course made cookies for Santa too which included a partially bitten cookie and more sprinkles than frosting.

I have hosted a Christmas Eve dinner the past few years and love doing it. We had dinner on Friday night with all intentions of attending a Christmas Eve service at church but it was freezing cold outside and we just didn’t want to get out in the cold temperatures. This year I wanted something a little fancier for the menu. I truly enjoying hosting and cooking for guests it brings such joy to my little heart. We had ribs and chicken with butternut squash, salad, green beans, rolls, and a pecan pie cheesecake for dessert. Oh heaven was that cheesecake to die for and a sure Christmas time staple.

Chad and I are very fortunate to live close to both of our families. It sure does make getting together for Holidays so much easier. My parents always host Christmas Eve and then we go to his parents for Christmas. We normally do Christmas morning at his parents but we did that evening and I liked it so much better. It gave us the chance to open presents and chill instead of being rushed around.

Chad and I discussed well before Christmas that we wouldn’t go all out. With our kids still being young they really do not understand the concept so we opted to get them both 2 presents and a stocking. My mom thoroughly enjoys purchasing presents so we let her and Chad’s mom buy majority of the presents and we stick to just a few. My mom does a really good job of gift giving and I really hope that one day I can be as good as she is.

By far Grady’s favorite toy that he received was magic glow in the dark race track. We have already gone through 6 batteries and it’s so cute when he says momma play.