Our Christmas

We began Christmas Eve lunch at our yearly spot with my dads side of the family. We enjoyed a really good meal and each others company.

We have our gathering at a local venue since our family is so large now.I am so thankful that even though we are so large, we still find time to get together for the holidays. It was a really special time for all of us.

After that, we ventured to John's family for Christmas Evening at his parents house. We changed up the menu this year and it was delicious! We enjoyed visiting a while before dinner was ready while all the guys played ping pong.

We always have a good time over at his parents house. There is never a dull moment that's for sure! This year our "special" gift to his parents was a coffee table book of all of their middle sons senior pictures that I took this year.

This reactions states it all I believe!

Later that evening Santa came and this is what we found Christmas morning in our home.It was a cozy Christmas morning. And a WHITE Christmas morning!We woke up later than we usually do on Christmas morning, but it was still dark outside, so it was still alright! We opened up our gifts as the sun rose on the gorgeous snow and decided to sit in John's new gift for a few hours and watch the snow fall.I decided to surprise John with his long dreaming recliner and he surprised/totally caught me off guard and got me a right hand ring.It was the perfect Christmas morning. Each year we wonder if it could top the last. This definitely did! It was quiet, and it was the most enjoyable. I am very thankful that we had that time together.Later we ventured to my parents house for a huge lunch!

This was nice because by this point of relaxing and watching snow all morning we had really worked up an appetite!

We enjoyed cookies at my grandparents house and went back to my parents for Christmas night with dinner and presents.

It was a homey night for all of us.

It was such a blessing to have everyone all under the same roof where we all grew up. It was a very special time for each of us.

The day after Christmas we celebrated with Johns grandparents.

We had a huge delicious Sunday meal and enjoyed reading the Christmas story, singing Christmas songs, and watching each other open gifts. We then went to celebrate with all of my mom's family for dinner and dirty Santa.

This Christmas was very special to us. We have had a crazy year this year and we are extremely excited to start a new one and see what God brings our way this year! We know that whatever it may be that we can handle it with Him. Our prayer for the new year is that we may grow stronger in Him, grow to know Him more, and to live His plan for our lives. Let's go God...we're ready!