Christmas continued

After our Christmas celebrations in Georgia we headed back home.  On the way, we made a stop in North Augusta to visit our dear friends Landon, Laura and Liam Jones.  Sadly, I did not take any pictures of our time with them because we were so engrossed in catching up.  These are friends who have known David and I since our pre-dating days so they are so dear to our hearts. 

We got home in time for Christmas Eve where my family came to join us.  Our first activity was to bake gingerbread men.  Caroline was not interested in the cookie preparation but more of the decorating with icing and eating of the cookies.

Later that evening Caroline was so hyper from cookies and candy canes that she wanted to have a dance party. 

 

Here she got her Papa and Daddy to show off their moves for her while she cheered them on.  There is nothing they wouldn't do for her.

After a drive to look at Christmas lights, we all gathered in the living room for David to read from Luke 2.  We wanted all of our hearts to be focused on the reason we celebrate Christmas.

  "For unto you is born this day 

in the city of David 

a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

We let Caroline open one present on Christmas Eve.  And of course she took him to bed with her that night.  

 This was David's first year having to build something on Christmas Eve.  He was initiated into the brotherhood of all dads who undertake the task of assembling toys purchased for Christmas.  He did a great job putting together this easel. The rest of us enjoyed watching SNL reruns on Hulu while he worked.

Christmas morning surprisingly we all woke up before Caroline.  She was a little camera shy at first but it didn't take long for her to start ripping open packages.  

I successfully cooked my first Christmas dinner with some tips from my mom.  I made our family's traditional Christmas favorites.  The menu consisted of ham, macaroni and cheese, pineapple casserole, green beans, and yeast rolls. 

 

Here are a few family shots.

We had a very Merry Christmas!