Christmas picture overload

Here's a few snapshots from our Christmas weekend . . . 

I'm sorry in advance.

This one is my personal fav!

The Rat's nest.

Caramel cake.

The cutest Christmas ornament cupcakes in the world.

The cutest little cousin in the world.

Mikey's beard freaked Ethan out.

Mango margs

Christmas Eve mexican dinner.

Allison and Cole 

The kids table!

Cousin presents!

Running down the stairs Christmas morning.

 Ellie and her Santa goodies.

Mikey was real excited Santa came to see him.

Gram manned her post to monitor the one-at-a-time gift opening process.

Dad tricked mom with a picture of a fake zebra print rug, then a check for a real rug of her choosing.

Smart man.

Highlight of Christmas.

Potentially highlight of my life.

This gift from Mikey:

 (Only a few tears were shed!)

Gram lovvved her new Ugg earmuffs for Yellowstone.

. . . and Ellie, mom, and I lovvvved our trip to NYC gift from gram!

One word: NEWSIESSSSSSSSS!

Mikey was pretty proud of his PBR ski hat from me!

Christmas dinner time!

Every type of oyster under the sun . . .

Ellie and Lyndie in their fancy dresses.

Cara, Alli, and I in our grey attire.

Cousin pic!

Family photo.

We'll be hitting the slopes all week with Josh's fan, but I've got a few posts up my sleeves so keep checkin back all week!

Our Christmas Traditions

Our family has develop tons of Christmas traditions over the past few years.

Here's a little peek into a few of our favorites . . . 

. . . is it bad that most of these traditions involve food?

Grammy always makes a huge batch (gallons and gallons and gallons) of spicy chex mix every year.

She has completely perfected the art.

She is also known for providing multiple different types of weird/cultural/AMAZING syrups for breakfast!

Passion fruit coconut syrup=phenom

Every Christmas Eve, we always have Mexican food!

Weird? Nah.

Fajitas, mom's hot sauce, red & green chips . . . 

. . . and Christmas Eve dinner wouldn't be complete without (virgin) mango margaritas!

After dinner, the cousins always exchange our "cousin gifts"

This year I drew Allison's name, and I made her this painting for her new kitchen!

(Remember the one I made for Mikey's bday?)

That night all the cousins sleep together upstairs (and patiently wait for Santa!)

Me, Mikey, and Ellie appropriately named this part of the room the Rat's Nest.

Christmas morning, all the kids line up at the top of stairs until the parents take some pics and then tell us we can run down to see our gifts.

We will NEVER be too old for this.

 For Christmas breakfast, Grammy always makes her famous "Tea Logs", which are pretty much an extra buttery, icingy, super awesome honey bun filled with pecans.

After all the presents are opened, one at a time (btw), we get to eat the greatest meal of the entire year.

Our family skips the whole traditional turkey and dressing Christmas dinner.

For years we have been spoiled with a seafood dinner consisting of about every seafood in America.

Lobster, shrimp, crab claws, oysters, scallops, crab cakes, grilled halibut . . .

You name it, we've had it.

We couldn't be blessed with a more wonderful, loving family.

Our grandparents have successfully raised three daughters who married well, and each raised wonderful children of their own.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that you got to spend it surrounded by the ones you love!

Who says Christmas songs can't be listened to year round?
Chris Tomlin's version of Joy to the World is by far my favorite.
(This version will most definitely make you tear up as soon as you hear the beautiful voices of the children from Uganda)

The song says it perfectly:
"Joy, unspeakable joy.
Overflowing where no tongue can tell.
Joy, unspeakable joy.
Rises in my soul, never lets me go."

I hope y'all remember and are thankful for the Reason for the Season!

We are heading to ski in New Mexico this week, but lots more Christmas pics and posts about crafty gifts coming throughout the week!