Disclaimer: I want to share everything about my Christmas with you... Which includes gifts. I've been asked about this the past 2 years I've been blogging, but I'm always hesitant since I don't want anyone to feel that I am "showing off" or "bragging". To be honest, seeing what Santa brings everyone is always one of my favorite things to check out on post-Christmas Twitter, Facebook, blogs, and YouTube, BUT... I know it bothers some people. So... If it's going to upset you, just skip this blog post. Otherwise, enjoy, and I hope you get as excited about seeing some pretty presents as I do!! :)
I'm back at my house after one of the best Christmases I've ever had!! As I'm typing this, I can't believe how quickly the past two weeks have gone by. I finished my finals, loaded up my car, drove home, and before I knew it... Christmas was over and I'm sitting here, ready to tell you all about it.
I told you about taking my cousins to pick out gifts for their parents, decorating gingerbread houses with them, and celebrating Lola's birthday with my family. After those first few days, the whirlwind began... Mom and I worked on getting the last of our family's Christmas cards out and finishing the Christmas decorations around the house.
I thoroughly enjoyed having no classes and being able to blog to my heart's content!! :) There were many late-night movie marathons with hot cocoa and marshmallows!!
Some Christmas-y nail decals...
Even Lola appreciated a little extra sleep and relaxation!!
The gift from my Christmas gift swap partner!!
Such a fun surprise, and made waiting for Christmas a little easier :)
As mom and I were wrapping presents, I would get so excited thinking about seeing the person opening it... And Christmas still seemed so far away!! But you know how it is... When you're busy the days pass more quickly and before I knew it, Christmas Eve had arrived!!
We tried something completely different with our decor this year.
It used to be more traditional Victorian, but this year we went for a more whimsical, fun look.
The Rudolph & Clarice Build-A-Bears I got Mom :)
I just love these little elves we placed all around the dining room!!
We had dinner in our dining room so we could enjoy the new, festive decor a bit more!! Each year, we always have a soup and a small side. This year, Mom made her "Southwestern Chicken Tortilla Soup" with cheese-and-green-onion quesadillas on the side. It is one of my favorite dishes she makes, and it was nice to switch up our traditional broccoli and cheese soup a bit. Maybe we can switch from year to year...
I had to snap a pic after Mom and I had finished setting the table!! :)
I love these two boys...
The best parents a girl could ask for.
Mom made whoopie pies for dessert from one of my grandmother's old recipes.
They were so yummy... I hope it becomes a tradition!! :)
Being silly...
Side Note: We took photos of our family talking at the dinner table and a great one of my aunt, uncle, and the boys... BUT... I haven't asked my aunt and uncle for permission to post their photos, and I don't feel that it's right to post before asking them. I feel comfortable posting the boys' photos because the boys LOVE when they get to make a debut in a blog post!! :) But... I DO want to respect everyone's privacy since this is a public blog. My general rule is: If I'm NOT in the image, I need to ask that person for permission.
After dinner and dessert, we clean up the dishes and it drives the kids of the family insane... Then we get everyone cups of coffee or hot chocolate and get settled into our fireside room. The youngest person of the family is "Santa" and passes out all the gifts!! :) This is probably my FAVORITE part of Christmas because my family really gets into finding the perfect gift for each particular person... Literally, Mom and I will spend months searching for and discussing each gift, and I know the rest of my family is the same. So by Christmas Eve we're all so excited, just waiting to see each person's reaction and joy when they open it!!
Christmas Doggies!!
Unfortunately, the doggies go "take a nap" at this point and don't get to join in the rest of the celebrations because it's a little overwhelming for them!!
Our cozy, comfy fireside room...
Ready to open some presents!!
Little stinker sporting his new Ferrari t-shirt...
He had to try it on IMMEDIATELY!! :)
My most touching gift...
An ornament that Little C made me.
Little C and I... Modeling our new jackets!! :)
Some yummy Dylan's Candy Bar goodies!!
I had my eye on that burgundy/wine faux fur jacket with leather trim for so long!! I kept seeing it in one of my favorite department stores and hoping it might be under the tree. I was so happy that my aunt and uncle gave it to me!!
After a family CatchPhrase game, Little C kept us all updated on where Santa was at online... "Santa is in the United States"... "Santa is in ILLINOIS!!!!" A cup or two of cocoa and a few whoopie pies later, it was time for the family to leave and for Santa to arrive!!
For some reason, Santa sometimes forgets Mom's stocking!!
(Maybe she is a bad girl and is just fooling us all?!)
So I help him out a bit... And put some goodies in myself :)
On Christmas morning, it's just Mom, Dad, and I. I have always loved this time... It's all about spending quality time with one another and being happy to give something to someone else. Mom and I begin the morning by making brunch. This year, we tried out a spicy breakfast skillet with chorizo... It was delicious, and had the perfect amount of spice!!
Christmas PJ's!!
Next, the doggies got to look in their stockings and open their presents. The standard poodles we used to have would really tear open their gifts and get so excited, but the little dogs aren't quite as talented. :)
After all the excitement, the doggies went to "take a nap" so they're weren't underfoot while we unwrapped. Then Mom, Dad, and I looked in our stockings and opened our gifts from one another.
The stocking is always my favorite part!!
Santa left a little Yurman in my stocking :)
She is going to kill me for posting this.
BUT... Seriously, how pretty is my mama?!
No makeup (except for lip gloss that was in her stocking), no Botox or fillers, no plastic surgery... She is just BEAUTIFUL.
Boys and their toys... It never changes!!
I had been wishing and wishing for this bag...
I never imagined I would be lucky enough to actually receive it!!
From the Chanel "Boy Collection"
I apologize... I'm an ugly crier, and always have been!!
I was totally shocked to get this gift from Dad... Completely unexpected.
I have nothing to deserve such a beautiful gift like this...
But it is something I will treasure forever and give to my daughter someday.
Christmas Day was probably the best of my entire break... We enjoyed our gifts for a bit, then spent the rest of the afternoon and evening relaxing, chatting, and watching our favorite Christmas movies. I miss my family so much when I'm away at law school, and there are very few times we all get to spend time together like that... It was such a treat. I enjoyed every single minute of it and hated when the sun went down and the stars came out that night.
The next evening (Boxing Day!!) we have our large family Christmas. It's our tradition to make a Welsh recipe for homemade dinner rolls that has been passed down to the women in my family for generations. It's a lot of work, but totally worth it when you finally get to eat them!!
Now nobody can say that I never bake!! ;)
We have a tradition of popping Christmas crackers before our meal.
The rule is everyone HAS to wear their paper crown during dinner!!
I love how cozy and happy it feels with everyone there.
Our family keeps growing and growing every year!!
I was super excited because my cousin loves Twilight too and brought the trivia game!!
Have any of you played it? The directions are surprisingly difficult!!
My cousin was a PRO at Twilight trivia.
I could not believe the amount of info that girl has tucked away!!
I hope you all don't mind that this post was sooooo long!! I had a lot to tell you!! :) I had a fantastic Christmas... The best part of which was spending time with my loved ones. Is there anything that makes you feel more warm and loved than being with your family?! I can't get enough... It always makes me sad when I have to pack up and leave.
I procrastinated the drive back to my house the next day and ended up driving at night. But... I did get a nice little surprise!! My neighbors brought in my packages for me... And my secret santa gift had arrived!!
Hope you had very merry Christmases (or a happy holiday, if you celebrate something else!!) Wishing you all safe travels and the happiest of new years!! :)
Xoxo B.
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