The Calm After the Storm

Our family enjoyed a most blessed Christmas this year.  And while the holiday season is still not yet technically over, I wanted to share a few of the highlights from our wonderful Christmas Eve and Day.

A rare peaceful moment for my three kiddos.  I was able to get them to stand still in front of one of the many Christmas trees at our church following the services.  Jenna graduated and joined Evan in scripture reading this year and Owen was a shepherd.  It was too tempting to let him be a wise guy man.

Difficult as it may have been, Evan, Jenna and Owen paused just long enough for this shot before tearing into their stockings and other gifts found under the tree.

Jenna will be stylin' in her signature color this winter - nice purple boots!

Mr. Cool has spent many hours playing with his glow-in-the-dark marble vortex thinga-ma-jigger!

And some have cautioned that perhaps a snowboard might not have been the greatest gift choice for the child that has broken his arm twice in 3 years and maybe, just maybe, fate is keeping snow from landing and sticking on the ground here in central Ohio for that very reason. 

Stay tuned...

And good ol' Oscar was here to spend another Christmas with our family.  I was sure last year would be his final holiday and now I sadly wonder the same thing year.  Thanks for hanging in there another year with us Oscar!

And then we were left with the typical scene found in family rooms across the country.  The frenzy that preceded this mess was enjoyed by one and all.  Then we got to do it all over again the next day at my parents' house and then again yesterday with Kevin's family.  The gift buying and wrapping and giving and opening have all been done for us this year.  Now, we settle back and enjoy the lights and decorations and calm for just a few more days before ushering in a new year, new activities, new memories to be made, new experiences and new lessons to be learned. 

Hoping your holiday season has been equally enjoyable for your families as well.

And for those of you that have followed my Cookie Journey in 2010 and my Cake Odyssey in 2011, I'll soon be posting an update on what 2012 holds for me and my travels throughout the kitchen.  How's that for a teaser?!