Christmas

Christmas has come and gone yet again. Ours was really good - low key and filled with the magic of the season. I hope yours was great too!

After I put in my half-day before the much-awaited break, I picked up Kathryn and we headed back into town to finish up the last of the Christmas prep.

Naturally, we needed a Starbucks break.

The sunset that welcomed us back home.

Christmas Eve Day was all about preparing! We had a small gathering for Christmas Eve with my in-laws but there was still lots to do. Top priority: making Christmas cookies for Santa.

Kathryn was in charge of quality control.

Her gingerbread house looks like it has been through a tornado. She takes quality control serious on many levels.

Once I was in full-on cooking mode, I forgot to take pictures of nearly everything.

Christmas 2014 Menu

Appetizers

Pigs in a Blanket (because, of course), a variety of nuts and a cheese, cracker and grapes platter

Dinner

Beef tenderloin, lasagna, sage brown butter brussel sprouts, garlic bread and salad

Dessert

Fudge and chocolate cheesecake with chocolate ganache (actually got a picture!)

Festive drink! A sparkling White Christmas sangria.

Setting out Santa's cookies, milk and a carrot for his reindeer.

Annual reading of The Night Before Christmas.

Santa came!

My favorite time of year.

Christmas morning! At 7:45 a.m. K ran into our room screaming "It's Christmas! It's Christmas!"

That right-out-of-bed look.

Couldn't believe she got the maraca she asked for.

Reading a letter that Santa left her.

Our traditional Christmas breakfast. I don't even know what it's called. A friend of mine made it years ago at an office party and since then I've made this three ingredient dish the past few years (2 croissant rolls of dough - I get the reduced fat ones, not that it makes a huge difference with this one, Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage and a block of cream cheese).
There's no thrills but it's delish!

The amazing teepee from Uncle Sam. One of the biggest hits from Christmas!

The coveted Elsa (from Frozen) dress. Another huge hit!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!