Christmas Celebration & Traditions

Well, this winter weather has definitely made us thankful for the traditions we celebrate every year, especially when it was looking like we might not be able to. It also due to circumstances, made us create some new ones. After Christmas Eve Mass, we have always gone to visit my PopPop to take some pictures and let him see everyone all dressed up.....this year, we couldn't even drive to his place because of all the snow. We also go and drive around to look at Christmas lights, and the snow prevented that as well. Luckily, Jason made it out to the grocery store so I could stock up on the supplies needed for our traditional breakfast and dinner. It was also a different Christmas because it is the first year we have ever had my mom gone (she is still in NYC with my sister and new nephew)...so the pressure was even more on to get the traditional foods right!! Some new traditions we started....everyone came over to my house for breakfast and present opening....it is just easier that way now with the kids. So it was nice to host it here and luckily my first shot at the traditional Spanish omelet sauce and Weinachtsbrot (pic below) came out perfectly!!! Whew! I have had this breakfast my whole life and my mom remembers having the Weinachtsbrot her whole life too, so it definitely is a must have and so pretty and yummy!! The girls got a very fun Slide/Climber/Basketball-Soccer set from Santa (and it folds up!!..minus the basketball and soccer nets that didn't come with it...err)....will keep them busy in these cold winter days and then outside in the spring and summer!! They also will enjoy this fun wagon, a new Little Einstein rocket toy and some fun videos. I can't wait to read THIS and use THIS. Jason is in love with his greenhouse and the girls are loving their new art easel!! Thanks to all the family for the beautiful and thoughtful gifts. Jason and I have decided that we will start a new tradition this year...we will do the stockings and a Santa gift and then the get together with family on Christmas Day, but we will not exchange gifts until the Epiphany to celebrate the Day the Wise Men brought gifts to Baby Jesus...and we will present each with three gifts to represent the three gifts Jesus was given. So, looking forward to still celebrating this Christmas season that truly does not end until the Epiphany (I hate it when stores and places start taking down everything so early!). The girls had a good nap and later that day we went over to my parents and had our traditional yummy dinner of prime rib, Yorkshire pudding (dad did both of these wonderfully!!) and I made a corn casserole and green bean casserole. We enjoyed being together and Angel entertained us all with her singing and dancing after dinner. So funny!! Wish I had gotten it all on tape! Then I made a new dessert...a double crusted Apple Raspberry Pie....so good and we sang happy birthday to Jesus!! (angel had been singing that for about a week and sang it all the way home!) It was a wonderful day with family and we feel so blessed for all we have and the gift of our Savior. We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ahead!! (my cards are late, but they are coming!)

(there are some really funny pics mom of us girls Christmas morning being silly and some from dinner too in the slideshow....I got a pic of the yorkshire pudding and prime rib dad did!) (the last video is so funny, Angel's version of Rudolph...not quite as funny as the one she was performing for us after dinner though)