Christmas Part Two: I Didn't Burn My Kitchen Down and No One Got Food Poisoning = Success!

Well, well, well, I'm proud to say that Sal Gal and I managed to pull off our Christmas meal cook-off and it ended up a success. But even bigger than that, is that we actually ate on time. This is HUGE for my family. I can't remember the last time we did anything on time. It's just not us. If we're early or on time people ask if something's wrong. But for some reason, Christmas dinner began exactly when we planned and we were all shocked. And so what, if maybe I secretly missed getting to walk around rolling my eyes waiting for the food to be ready, like I usually get to do.

On Christmas Eve, M to the Izz-A, Kate, and I attended our church's candlelight service. It was a special time to share with our church family (whom I absolutely love, by the way). Then we headed home to get ready for Santa. We put out the cookies and even attempted to leave our stock pile of pacifiers for Santa and his reindeer, but Miss Passy wasn't having it. At first she was excited, but then bedtime rolled around, and what had once seemed like a grand idea suddenly was not.

The whole weekend was one big Christmas activity after another - having Christmas with all the different sets of our family. It was a busy time, but I believe it was our best Christmas yet. Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with a great 2009.

She really loves the closing-my-eyes-while-I-smile thing right now.

She cannot deny that I am indeed her mother. We both have fingers for toes - super long.

I told myself I was going to buy some Christmas pj's this year. Obviously I didn't follow through. I blew it. I guess I'm still hung up on the problem I had with Christmas pajamas when I was younger. I think I've shared before that it seemed that every pair I had was made of that cheap material that always got caught on my dry heels and caught static electricity like no other. I walked around sounding like a bowl of Rice Krispies, snap, cracklin', and poppin - whether it was from the gown getting caught on my heels or the electricity. Either way, it seems to have made a lasting impact on my opinion of Christmas pj's. I do realize that their are other, softer fabrics available, and while in my heart I've moved on and forgiven the pajama industry for their lack of concern for people with less than soft skin, my heels have not.

This game, Elefun, really is so much fun - especially if you wear your Dora skates and doctor's stethoscope while playing it.

Kate and cousin, Kennedy

He's either saying something really profound or really weird. I'm going with weird. Either way, he's got their attention.

My sis, Sal Gal, and Kate

Some of you were able to see the name written on the baby bump in my tablecloth drawing from my last post. Talk about having some 20/20!

I thought I'd go ahead and share it you. After all, you're my bloggin' family, right?

Hamp Aaron