Christmas 2015 ~ Part 1

Our family has had such a blessed Christmas season! 

It has been full of fun family traditions and togetherness,

and wonderful celebrations.

Above all, we thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

who is the reason for this beautiful season!

 

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”

Matthew 1:21-23

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

We broke out the Christmas puzzles early this year. 

I think we finished three . . .

with one being a new one!

The new gingerbread men puzzle was the inspiration behind

many, many batches of homemade gingerbread men this year!

 

Decorating the tree . . .

 

 Meanwhile . . .

because the camera is out and handy . . .  

 we captured a couple pictures that are just a snippet of a day in the life of our family.

 The other two puzzles we completed . . .

Gingerbread houses!

 We had lots and lots of cookie baking going on in the weeks leading up to Christmas!  

 Victoria tried a new cookie treat this year . . .
Eggnog cookie cups!
They are a sugar cookie in a tart shape,
filled with eggnog pudding! :-) 
Yummy!

And a also a few cute Christmas outfits to wear . . . 



 Christmas Eve . . . Eve . . .

morning breakfast . . .

Caroline made her amazing Danish with raspberry filling,

and shaped them into candy canes!  They were sooooo yummy!

Christmas Eve . . . eve . . . day . . .

us girls had a "day out" together and went to the mall with Meemom!

 Christmas Eve morning for breakfast, we had monkey bread and chili relleno casserole.

Then, opened a present or two!

 

 

 Then, waited for the garbage truck driver to give him some cookies . . .

The girls waited out there for almost an hour!
When they came back in for a tiny break,
he drove up the hill!  But thankfully, Timmy stayed out and was able to hand him the cookies!

 Caroline and Victoria enjoyed a Christmas Eve ride!  

Putting the finishing touches on an apple pie . . .

 And a little more decorating of cookies . . .

 Getting ready to go to Papa Bob and Meemom's house for a taco dinner

before heading to church for the candelight service!

 

 Aunt Kelley, Louis, McKenna and boyfriend Elliott, and Cassidy were all there!

 After church,

we came back and made cinnamon rolls, and a sausage casserole for Christmas morning.

 And opened up another gift!

 

 Kyle opened up this big box of chocolates from one of his clients! :-)