Merry Christmas . . .

Just wanted to share a few pictures from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day . . . we had fun decorating plates, creating a Christmas tree village, eating, playing, and opening gifts. We missed our Utah cousins who were not able to be with us this year. We spent a great weekend with them over Thanksgiving, but it just isn't the same without everyone at home to share the magic of the season! We did talk to them on the phone and I am going to visit for a long weekend in January.

Traditions play an important part of our holidays . . . here are just a few of our favorites:

. Homemade chili

. Homemade soup

. Decorating plates for Santa to leave our goodies on

. Creating a Christmas tree village out of ice cream cones

. Making reindeer food to sprinkle on the front lawn before we go to bed

. Hot chocolate with whipping cream

. Christmas breakfast with heart shaped waffles & cheesy potatoes

. Tamales, homemade rice, and guacamole

. Quarters in the toes of our stockings

. Watching movies-we went to see "Night at the Museum" & laughed a lot

. Opening presents one at a time - starting with the youngest to oldest

. Staying in PJ's all day long

. Taking naps

. Lil' smoky sausages on Christmas Eve

. Reading the Christmas story

. Listening to Christmas music

. Calling/visiting with family and friends

. Fried oysters - a favorite of Grandpa Wood's

. Afternoon naps

. Listening to the kids play concerts on the piano

I'm sure there may be a few others that I forgot . . . hope your day was a good as ours! Blessings and love to all from Mesa, Arizona.