Christmas at our house

We decided this year would be our first Christmas celebrated at our house. Danny and I talked about it, and as much as we love spending time with our families on Christmas, we thought it was important to start our own traditions at home. Thankfully, we were able to convince my mom, Danny's grandparents and his Aunt Cindy from Oklahoma to join us for our very first Christmas at home.

For as many years as Danny can remember, his father read Twas The Night Before Christmas to him and his sister on Christmas Eve. Danny even jokes that Dan would leave it on the answering machine while he was in college. This is a tradition I really wanted to carry on with our children, so last Christmas I went and bought a copy of the story for Danny to read to Owen. I video taped him reading to a sleeping Owen last year and an on the go-into EVERYTHING Owen this year. It will be fun to go back and watch these with Owen when he gets older. Mom and I did watch the one from last year just before Danny read to Owen this year.

Danny's Dad called to see if we had his copy of the story and when we told him we didn't, but we had our own, he and Danny thought it would be nice for Danny to read over the phone to our nephew, Colin.


So, here is Danny talking to Alice just before he attempts to read the story to Owen. Owen thought it would be more fun to play with all of our Christmas cards.

On Christmas morning we woke to a wonderful surprise left by Santa. We forgot to set out milk and cookies, so thank goodness Santa still decided to drop in. Someone PLEASE remind us to do this next year.

Here is Owen as he gets the first glimpse of what Santa has left for him...

He LOVES Mickey Mouse and went straight for the Mickey Mouse ball.

He was also a big fan of his Elmo remote (hopefully this will deter him from playing with OUR remote) and the really cool bean bag from Gramma Karen.

A little musician in the making....

Playing with his new Brio dog....

Around 11am Danny's grandparents and Aunt Cindy arrived. It was so nice having them here with us to celebrate. This was the first time I had met Cindy and Danny hasn't seen her in years. We really enjoyed our visit and it meant so much having everyone here with us.


Here is Owen and his Great Aunt Cindy...

Danny cooked a pork rib roast, baked apples stuffed with corn bread stuffing and made chocolate truffles (he watches the Food Network.) I made crock pot-mac and cheese and spinach artichoke dip, mom made sweet potato casserole and Nana brought a pina colada cheese cake.

We don't have a table that seats more than four, so Danny, Nana, Bobo, and Cindy sat together in the dining room....

Our dear friend Julie, who had to work Christmas Day, also joined us for a few hours. We just love Julie and were so excited when she accepted our offer to come for dinner.

Here is my mom and Julie...

Not long after dinner, I found Bobo asleep....

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. We are off to celebrate with Danny's parents and his sister's family this weekend and my Dad and brother will be here New Year's Day.