Christmas Joy 2010!

We have had a wonderful holiday season this year and I hope you have as well! 

We had an extended Christmas celebration starting the weekend before the official holiday with a visit from my mom and her husband, Allen for what we called "mini-Christmas".  We then spent the rest of the holiday with our immediate family and my in-laws. 

Here are some pictures taken over the last several weeks of our Christmas:

Christmas Joy 2010

Mom and the girls did some holiday baking.  They made our traditional breakfast pastry called Swedish Tea Logs.  We have had these every year on Christmas morning since I can remember.  And even though Mom and Allen were here a week early, we went ahead with the tradition.  There is something so comforting about this pastry - it just tastes like Christmas.

We took the girls to see Santa with Mom and Allen.  Savannah had already told us ahead of time that she did not want to see him, so we didn't force the issue.  Her argument is that Santa is big and she is little.  Matilda, however, had not really seen Santa before so we gave it a go.  She did alright........she was not thrilled, but did not scream bloody murder like her sister had in previous years.  I'll say it was somewhat of a successful visit!

We hosted Christmas Eve dinner at our home for my in-laws following Christmas Eve Mass.  I always have so much fun setting a formal table.  A lot of the items used on our Christmas table have been passed down by relatives and are very special to us.

For Christmas Eve dinner I served a blackberry and mustard glazed ham (recipe to come), cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, salad with candied pecans, cranberries, and feta cheese and homemade bread.

We had a great time eating and drinking around the table.  But my big question is how did my soon-to-be 3 year old turn from a little toddler into a little girl?  Seeing this picture makes me realize how fast time flies.  What an angel - I just love her to pieces!

After dinner my husband served the gingerbread cookies he made as well as his homemade Wassail.

On Christmas morning we had our own little Christmas with just our immediate family.  We looked through our stockings, played with our new toys and just relaxed for a little while before heading over to my in-laws for more Christmas fun!

My mother-in-law made a gazillion types of cookies as well as her famous monkey bread.  Everything was so delicious and we munched on these tasty treats all day!

Then it was time for some more present opening at my in-laws.  Brett and I had lots of fun surprises under the tree and are very thankful and appreciative of all of our family's generosity. 

The most exciting part of Christmas for me is the gift giving.  My goal was to go 100% handmade this year, but that just didn't happen and I'm ok with that.  With catching pneumonia and have two little ladies under 3, I decided to cut myself some slack.

Here are a few gifts that I gave to others this Christmas (you will see tutorials for many of these things in the coming weeks):

I gave this book to my mom and Allen for Christmas as kind of a late wedding present.  The Bride and Groom First and Forever Cookbook is one of my absolute favorites and definitely one of my own personal "go to" books.  I made them two potholders out of the same fabric that I used for the girls flower girl dresses that they wore in Mom and Allen's wedding.

My mom is wanting to get back into sewing, so I gave her Amy Butler's new book, "Amy Butler's Style Stitches" and two charm packs of Kate Spain's "Fandango" to help inspire her to create.

Several family members received tile coaster sets from me.  This is definitely one of my favorite gifts!

My hubby received an I-pod cozy from his two little girls.  I made this from a felted wool sweater sleeve (tutorial coming tomorrow).  The tag said, "Dad, you rock!"

My daughter Matilda received a quilt that I made specially for her.  I posted previously about this HERE.

For my mother-in-law, I made her a whole set of vintage inspired craft room organizational items.  I'll share more about this gift idea in a couple weeks.  I loved how the set turned out and she did too!!

Savannah and Matilda received a princess tent that they are in love with.  Both girls love to snuggle inside with their favorite animals and blankets.

We just spent the rest of the day opening presents, lounging, playing and eating - exactly my idea of a good time!

And when all was said and done, we all needed a good nap!

This was by far the best Christmas yet and we look forward to many more to come.  I feel so blessed to be able to experience Christmas through my childrens' eyes.  They bring so much pure joy, excitement, magic and wonder to the holiday season.  What a true blessing!

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