Merry Christmas

From our farm to yours!!!  

It's off to bed to dream of Santa and enjoy the day watching my three beautiful girls reap the benefits of being so good this year.  

It's the most wonderful time....

Of the year!

Yes, I really, really love Christmas.  Shoot, I love any occasion that makes my three little loves dress up like the angels that they (occasionally) are!

 The kids participated in the church Christmas program.  Olivia has her own methods of participating, like here where she is assisting in directing the singing.  Always happy to do her part!

 Then it was off to my cousin's for the annual Gingerbread House decorating party.  Cousin Ava joined us all the way from Irmo!!

 I think Ava is eye-balling Mary Claire's candy.

 Emma, as usual, is nothing but business.

 And the day ended with a surprise guest!!!

Ok, maybe the day ended with a couple glasses of wine for the grown ups while the kids tore apart their cousin's play room, but whatever...

Christmas = Baking.

How in the world did I make it to December 12th without starting holiday baking???  My house... devoid of Christmas cookies and goodies?  Absolute insanity!  I finally got around to whipping up the first holiday good of the season last night: Fudge.  Plain chocolate fudge that I love with all my heart.  And so do my kids who were eyeballing it this morning as I cut a few chunks to bring with me to work.

Next on the baking agenda: gingerbread men.  I am not really a gingerbread person, but I'm pretty sure the kids will enjoy this infinitely, and luckily Farmer Allen is more than happy to eat as much gingerbread as we can cook. 

Pictures!

Hooray for Christmas

Sliding in right under a whole month of no new blog posts! 

It is definitely Christmas season.  Our calendar is crazy for the next four weeks, but all stuff I am so excited for.  Christmas Music Festival, Gingerbread House Party, Christmas dinners with all our different loved ones.... so fun.  And I love that since having kids, Farmer Allen is so much more willing to decorate earlier, put up with Christmas music, and join me in driving around looking at lights.  All for the kids, of course!!  There is truly nothing like seeing their excitement over the little things.  Looking at lights the other evening Mary Claire was going on about how much she liked them, then said, "I don't know where I get this from!"  Love it.  Of course, she also told me yesterday that I'm not allowed to ask Santa to put candy in my stocking.  I am NOT okay with that idea.  Santa - I always need candy in my stocking!