On Christmas Day

Again, I know there will be way too many photos in this post (probably even too many for my own Mom) but I love looking back over the years and remembering all of the tidbits.

 Surprisingly, I woke up before the kids this year. They actually slept in and I almost woke them up:)

Kate and Harry waiting for Will.  Dave made a little sign so nobody would peek in the morning:)

I always take photos of them coming down the stairs.

I LOVE the look of wonder and surprise on Kate's face!

Harry was thrilled with his new bike.  He had completely outgrown his.

Santa left Kate one of Prancer's antlers.  This is a family tradition.  Years ago, Will informed us (on Christmas EVE!) that he would like one of Santa's reindeer's antler.  Miraculously, Santa left one.  A few years later, Santa left one for Harry (this photo below is Harry from 2006).



 This year, it was finally Kate's turn.

Harry had to help her read the letter from Santa.



Mimi sent Kate a little pink shuffle with her favorite songs on it.
She is so cute singing around the house with it.

What Kate really wanted this year was an American Girl Doll...and Santa delivered.



She named her "Katie" and they have been completely inseparable.  They are adorable together.  The first thing Kate noticed though was that her clothes were "a little boring."



Luckily, Harry got Kate and her American Girl Doll matching leopard print dresses!
She also got some matching PJ's too:)



Harry LOVED his Wayne Rooney official soccer jersey.  It came all the way from Manchester, England.




Dave surprised each of us with an original piece of artwork from a local artist when he was in Singapore.





Miss Jen sent Kate this FUN and sparkly bow.  Kate could not get over it!!!





Will asked for some hip Ab*ercrombie clothes and these sneakers.



We had a very hard time finding these shoes but a guy named Will from Zappos helped us track down a pair at a different vendor.  Love Zappos!



I got him a hamburger ornament as he is always on the search for the best burger in Houston!



Santa left me 3 peanut ornaments...how apropos!

So funny...Dave needed to break a bill at the grocery store so he bought Twinkies for the kids stockings.  I would NEVER buy twinkies for them but they were SO thrilled.



Today, Kate said to me, "Mom, can I have my sparkie?"  I said, "Your what?"  You know that sparkie that Dad put in my stocking?  She meant her Twinkie!



Harry got some fingerboard stuff too.  He loves fingerboarding!



Will and his "sparkie."

Kate got a "fur real" puppy that is actually quite cute...  She named her "Dumpling."



We though Scout would not like Dumpling but she is fine with her new friend.

In the evening Dave's brother and family came over for dinner.

Dave and I cooked beef tenderloin, ham, roasted asparagus with hollandaise sauce, roasted mushrooms with garlic and capers, caesar salad, twice baked potatoes and biscuits.  Oh and I made this AMAZING cake from Southern living  magazine.  It was slightly time consuming (I did it over a few days) and mine is not as pretty as theirs but oh my goodness was it SO GOOD!!!!  It was definitely worth the effort.



White hydrangeas and peonies.  I did the table-scape in all silver (mercury glass) and white.





Kate and I glittered the place-cards.  That was fun!!

So here is the Southern Living cake....



And here is the one Kate and I made.....





We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus.



Had to pose for some family photos:)
The Cousins (above)







It was a GREAT Christmas.  I missed my Mom and sisters but got to talk to them. It is hard living far away.  I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas.  I have been lounging around in sweats watching movies with the kids and eating popcorn and drinking hot chocolate (and eating that cake--I will have some pounds to shed come January!).

  I want to take this opportunity (if y'all are still reading) to thank each and every one of you who pops in every day and those of you who leave such kind comments throughout the year.  I am very grateful to you all.