Like it or not, Christmas is over and it’s time to recap the holidays! I’ll just warn you now – this is a long post! I love having these posts to look back on every year, so the details are for my benefit. I won’t mind if you just scroll through the pictures and read the last few paragraphs. š
We started our Christmas celebrations on our anniversary (12/17). The day was spent at home, and we started by exchanging gifts with each other. Then I made a big breakfast and we enjoyed the luxury of lingering over it! We spent the rest of the day just hanging around at home, snacking and watching TV. We are way behind on The Big Bang Theory, so we took a chunk out of season eight in the evening.
We celebrated with Paul’s family the Thursday before Christmas. The men went to an indoor go-kart rink while the women had manis and pedis. That was such a luxury! I enjoyed catching up with my sister in law on Thursday as well. The spa setting is much more conducive to good conversation than a bustling family gathering. š
Paul’s niece and nephew are such cuties! Our nephew is around 18 months and we enjoyed seeing so much of his personality this visit! He was really into Snapchat (LOL) and made his new “excited face” for the reindeer filter. Isn’t he a cutie?
On Christmas Eve we made it to my parents’ house by the evening. Christmas Eve has always been my family’s “big” day for celebrating, with specific things that we eat along with opening our gifts that night. My mom has spectacular presentation and hostessing skills – everything always looks straight out of a magazine yet still so warm and welcoming. Here is the scene in their kitchen from Christmas Eve:
We opened gifts with my parents, sister and brother in law – and Liza Jane. It wouldn’t be Christmas without the kitty snuggling up in an open box. Paul got a shirt that says “Hot Dog Man” and my sister and I bought each other “I Came For The Food” graphic tees. We all get each other and our mutual love of food!
Sunday morning we ate an amazing breakfast (visit my Mom’s blog for pictures of breakfast and more) before heading over to church. Mom made a cream cheese danish, my sister made Pioneer Woman’s cinnamon rolls and I brought a bacon and cheese grits quiche.
Coffee is a big deal in our family, and this cup of perfectly prepared coffee was waiting for me on the bathroom counter when I got up on Sunday morning. ā¤
My Dad is the pastor of their church and my brother in law is the assistant pastor. We always love the chance to be in church together, serving and worshipping!
After church we came back to my parents’ house for a delicious Christmas dinner! My mom served glazed ham, twice baked potatoes, angel biscuits, green bean casserole, frozen fruit salad, peppermint punch and loads of cookies and treats for dessert.
We set up my camera on the tripod and I used my new remote clicker – it was fun to capture some candid shots of everyone enjoying the day!
We spent the rest of Christmas Day just hanging out around the house. In the evening we played a few new games that were hilarious (and ended up with my mom sitting under the table for a while). Here’s a 5 second peek into our game time while we played Spot It – I think my favorite part of this video is my mom’s laugh at the end.
On Monday I headed out with my parents and sister for an epic day of shopping! Paul and my brother in law went to see the new Star Wars movie and were very happy with their choice to skip the shopping. š We met up at the end of the day, just in time for Paul and I to head back to South Carolina.
I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad Christmas, but I can definitely say this was one of the best Christmases ever! Every good and perfect gift is from above and I’m so thankful to the Lord for the sweet time we had with family.
Since this is my last post of 2016, let me take a minute to say thank you to all of you! I am so grateful for the time that you spend with me here on the blog. I would love to hear about your Christmas – tell me something you enjoyed about the weekend in the comments below!
Happy New Year!
Linking up with High Five For Friday, Friday Favorites,Ā andĀ Five on Friday
Come Home For Comfort 
Your Christmas has many of my favorite things: faith, family and food! My mom, sister and I always go to church on Christmas Eve, and then we get together with aunts/uncles on Christmas day. In between all of that, there’s tons of yummy snacks and food. We bake gingerbread cookies about a week before Christmas, so there’s plenty to last into the new year. And I always do sugar cookies. This year, I also made some small Christmas cakes (using a mold pan so they come out shaped like ornaments). It’s fun to try new recipes/designs of cookies and treats! š This Christmas, I also made hot apple cider in the pot, and it was delicious! I love the way it smells and cozies up the house. My sister and I also enjoyed a little MacGyver marathon via Netflix. It’s not a very realistic show, but it’s fun to see how he saves the day with all of those contraptions! Haha! Christmas day was a bit odd weatherwise around here, as it was super rainy and windy. Being Nebraska, it’s usually snowy! So we’re very thankful it was just rain.
LikeLike
Sounds like you had a delicious and fun Christmas! Love your small cakes idea!
LikeLike
It sounds like the best Christmas and I LOVE that you had Angel Biscuits. My mom used to always make those for Christmas too!
LikeLike
Aww, I love that! Angel biscuits are the best!
LikeLike
What a fun Christmas! All the food you ate looks so yummy! š And it’s so special that you got to spend so much time with family!
LikeLike
Oh it was SO yummy! š
LikeLike
Evan & I are so happy we got to see you on Christmas! āŗļø
LikeLike
It’s so handy that my sweet friends go to the same church as my family! š
LikeLike
Such a sweet Christmas! It sounds like things couldn’t have gone better. I love special touches like coffee waiting for you in the morning, your favorite foods and thoughtful gifts. And your mani/pedi, shopping days sounded lovely, too. What a great way to end the year!
LikeLike
Having my coffee delivered is the ultimate luxury! š
LikeLike
Happy New Year Whitney. It looks like you had a great Christmas. Mani pedis are the absolute best gift.
LikeLike
Happy New Year to you, my friend!
LikeLike
Hello! I’m fairly new to your blog. I’ve followed your mom’s blog for a few months longer. But I must say y’all are the cutest family. Seriously. I enjoy reading both blogs. They are always so encouraging. As far as my Christmas weekend celebration and your question, I guess one of my favorite “somethings” I enjoyed was watched the children at my church perform The First Leon on Christmas Day. What a treat that was! Happiest of New Year’s to you and your family.
LikeLike
Hi, Melinda! I’m so glad you left me a note – thank you so much for stopping by to read! Any goodness you see in my family is a direct result of God’s grace in our lives, and I am so thankful to have them! ā¤
LikeLike
I love every little bit of this holiday recap post! I’m so glad that you enjoyed such a wonderful time catching up with family, laughing and enjoying each other’s company, and worshipping our incredible Savior! Thanks so much for sharing!! Wishing you a Happy New Year to come, sweet friend! š
xo – Brenda // ChattingOverChocolate.com
LikeLike
It was truly filled with all the best things! Happy New Year to you, my friend! ā¤
LikeLike