Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Christmas Day

Christmas morning we were wakened by a very excited little boy!  He burst into our bedroom at about 7:30, (much later than I thought he would) and proclaimed that Santa had indeed been here!  I started the coffee, Geeps lit a fire, and we gathered around to watch Noah open his gifts.  But while he waited for us to get ourselves assembled, he called his cousins Hannah and Claire, and Face Timed with them to discuss what Santa had brought to their house!  They were so excited!  All I could think of was when our kids were young, and how they would call all of their cousins immediately after opening gifts to compare notes.
He pulled each one of his gifts into a pile on the floor, like a game of Jenga!
He was so fun to watch open his gifts.  He was thrilled with each and every single thing.  No matter how big or small.

After the gifts were all exchanged, I made a huge breakfast of maple sausage, eggs, biscuits and gravy,  hashbrowns, fresh berries, cranberry croissant danish, coffee and juice.
We took the morning kind of slow, and then got ready to head out to my Mom's house.  The whole family was gathering there for dinner.
There was some pre dinner snacking.
Football watching.
We had a fabulous meal of beef tenderloin, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, creamed corn, green salad, fruit salad, pasta salad.  The white horse was our representation of Nana.  Nana always looked for white horses on a car ride.  We all do.  When we see one, you must race to see who cam stamp it in your hand first.  We still stamp our white horses.  Nana was so very missed.
Gifts were exchanged.

Secrets were told???
The magical lights were enjoyed with a boat ride after dinner.
My Mom lives on a lake, and it is a fantastic sight during the holidays.  Everyone's house is decorated so beautifully, and the boats are all done in lights too.  It really is something to see.
It was a very Merry Christmas! 
XO  Kris

21 comments:

Teresa Kasner said...

What a wonderful day full of family, good food, happiness and love. You are a very lucky daughter, wife, mother and grandmother!!

((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  *H*A*P*P*Y* *N*E*W* *Y*E*A*R*!*
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Amy at love made my home said...

I hope that your New Year will be wonderful! Best wishes for all good things in 2015 to you and yours! xx

Dawn said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas :) Now I need to go eat after seeing all those food pics. Yummy

Betsy said...

What a wonderful day of celebration from breakfast to the boat ride! I've said it before, you are so blessed to have your family so close and see them often. I hope you and yours have a Happy New Year too.
Blessings my friend,
Betsy

Linda said...

Hi Kris...
Looks like your day was perfect!
Your Mom is very lucky to live on a lake...
Happy New Year my friend...
We must resolve to talk more...
Share secrets...
Cheers! my friend
Linda :o)

Home Meadows said...

Looks like a wonderful Christmas Kris. Wishing you and your family a happy new year. Heather

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Kris, no kids here to wake up to Santa in the morning. I miss those days! Noah certainly does look like he loves his gifts. My youngest son loved Turtles when he was little. Now his boys are getting them. Your breakfast sounds so yummy and I love the 'white horse' tradition! We woke up, went to our oldest daughters for breakfast and then made the rounds to all of the others. They had all been here on Christmas Eve and we had a wonderful time. Oh, and forgot to mention that the boat ride looks awesome! Happy, Happy, New Year!!
hugs,
Jann

Between Me and You said...

Happy New Year to you and yours, Kris. Magical surroundings your Momma has!'See' you next year. x

Deb~in~Denver said...

Love the picture of Noah with his stack of presents and that smile with his Turtles! Sounds like THE perfect Christmas! I 'm envious of your family celebration, that's how ours use to be, with all of the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. I SO miss those days! Our holiday celebrations are fairly small and quiet, these days. I love my time with the family. The white horse is a wonderful representation/remembrance of your Nana. We always include a picture of our son and my Mom at our holiday tables, helps us to include them. The lights on the homes around the lake are gorgeous! Could look at those for hours!

Have a very Happy New Year!

Jill said...

This looks simply magical Kris! Love all the lights on the water, how lovely. Treasure that family time...I miss my family and friends back home very much this year. Take Care and happy New Year!

Blessings,
Jill

NanaNor's said...

Hi Kris, I loved reading/seeing your Christmas. What a wonderful time with family you had! Grands certainly make it wonderful.
I hope you have a wonderful New Year's eve and fantastic New Year, filled with health, happiness and love.
I'm thankful for you Kris.
Hugs, Noreen

priscilla said...

Looks like a fantastic Christmas ! Happy New Year Kris !

Jeanna said...

Noah must have been a very good boy this year as Santra treated him well!

Looks like a great time was had by all.

Happy New Year!

Gracie Saylor said...

Thanks so much for sharing your day, Kris! I really enjoyed it and especially noted how much taller and older Noah is looking these days. [loved that he face timed his cousins :-) ] Happy New Year!!! xx

Mereknits said...

It looks like a perfect Holiday with so much to be thankful for, those kids, your family and your Mom's health. Happy New Year Kris,
Meredith

Holly said...

What a great family Christmas. I can't believe how much older Noah looks. He sure is growing up. Hope you and yours have a very Happy New Year!

Gloria Baker said...

What lovely christmas pictures Kris!!
Happy new year Kris!:)

Apple Blossom Dreams said...

What a wonderful gathering, Kris. The lights on the lake are so cool and that secret cracked me up. ;-)

Pam said...

I love how close your family is! It looks like you had a very merry Christmas. The last photo of your son in law and grand daughter is beautiful!

In regards to the quilter from my Idaho post... it is my mother in law. I should take pictures of her work for you. She does amazing artwork with her quilting and has several pieces hanging throughout her house.

Unknown said...

Glad you had such a wonderful Christmas! What a huge family and the house on the water, the lights...awesome!

corners of my life said...

Christmas morning photos are the best aren't they? I just love the peek into family life at it's best.