'Twas the day after Christmas

Christmas is always a whirlwind of activity.  I always seem to be pulled in hundreds of different directions.  This year my husband and I started our Christmas preparations in October.  We had decided on gifts in August for the kids.  We were just as excited (if not more) than the kids were for Christmas.  So Christmas this year was so much more relaxing because we were prepared. 

Christmas Eve was spent with our Church family.  We had a delicious supper of homemade mac and cheese, chicken gravy and biscuits, homemade rolls and cranberry sauce.  Always such a blessing to get together with our church.  We had a wonderful message by Pastor John.  Then our pastor's children did a reenactment of the birth of Christ.  It was almost 9 pm by the time we got home. 

The kids were up bright and early like any other Christmas morning.  Although they are teenagers I love seeing the excitement on their faces.  They had no idea what we had planned on getting them for Christmas.  So in a matter of minutes all of the gifts were opened.  The joy on their faces were priceless.  Made the months of saving and scrimping so worth it.

Katrina was checking closely to see if she was actually reading the box correctly.  Haha.  We did indeed get her a laptop!  She was beyond thrilled and actually speechless. 

Hannah was so shocked!  A Kindle Fire!  She has been using mine for months now.  We knew this was the perfect gift for her....and me!  She just loves to read.  I love the expression on her face.  She read the box but still kept asking us if that was it.  Haha.

Andrew was beyond thrilled with his gift.  He always seems to "forget" he has our laptops in his room.  Now he has his own for his videos and Netflix.  One thing we told the kids was, "If anything happens to the computers their grandfather would be fixing them.  So think about that each time you visit a website."  Also once a month I will do the updates and cleaning of them.  A parent can never be too careful...no matter how old they are.

We had such a lovely Christmas.  My husband got me a couple of new cookbooks, leggings, a camera cleaning kit and a lens hood.  My "big" gift was tickets to go see Laura Story in concert a few weeks ago.  I have been so blessed by her music for years now. Perfect gifts for me!  I got my husband a coat, football video game and a couple of DVD's. 

Fits him just perfectly!  He is so tall with long arms it can be difficult to find coats to fix him. 

Every year for Christmas breakfast I make Overnight Caramel French Toast.  It is that once a year indulgence we enjoy.  Sometimes throughout the year the kids will request this for a birthday breakfast.  It is SO good.

Come on you know you want a bite!  Look at that caramel goodness.  There is a layer of cinnamon and sugar between the bread.

We still have one more Christmas party to attend next weekend.  So now begins the Christmas takedown!  I am ready to get my house back in order and everything back to its original place.  Our cat is happy to have his spot under the tree back.

Not for long sweet Caspian...it comes down tomorrow.  Now I'm off to get the rest of the living room cleaned and vacuumed.  This floor is driving me nuts.  How was your Christmas?  I pray it was one of family fun!