Sweet Beginnings: Christmas 2012

I finally downloaded all of our pictures from Christmas! Christmas is our favorite time of the year. Proof of this exists in the fact that we put up our tree the day after Halloween and JUST TOOK IT DOWN.

Christmas evokes such a warm feeling and brings back so many precious memories. I can remember as a child waking up in the middle of the night and running to the living room to lay on the couch and just look at the tree. Decorating for Christmas was a huge affair. We put santas, stockings, manger scenes, and tinsel everywhere! I honestly remember decorating and baking more that I do the gifts. At Mummy's house every year, the grandkids put on a Christmas play. We took turns being Mary, Joseph, the angels, and wise men. Then the whole family would gather around the piano while Mummy played Christmas carols.

One of my favorite traditions is receiving an ornament each year from my parents. The hubby and I have continued that tradition and give each other an ornament every Christmas that represents the past year to us. It's already so much fun to look back at the ornaments and remember those times. We don't have a tree that is one color scheme or theme, we have a tree full of unique ornaments from our childhoods, vacations, and our years as a couple. I even have a few angels from my mother's Christmas tree when she was a child and a giraffe that hung in my baby mobile! I took a few pictures of some of our favorites.

I decided this year to host two of my dearest friends and their husbands for an old-fashioned Christmas dinner and gift swap. My sweet mom came up a few days before the party to help plan the menu, decorate, and shop. Have I told you how much I love her?

The dinner menu included cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn casserole, biscuits, green bean casserole, and ham. For dessert we had homemade pecan pies and gingerbread bundt cakes. When we were stuffed and happy, we played a fun game of "Dirty Santa." Martina cheated and brought gifts that only Nicole and I could get, but we loved them!!

I've talked about moving here and God providing such amazing new friends, but I honestly don't know what I would do without them. More than friends, we are spirit sisters. I can cry, laugh, and vent with them, and I know they are always there. More importantly, they encourage and mentor me in my walk with Christ. So blessed!

The next weekend, we headed out of town to celebrate Christmas with my family. There is never a dull moment when we are all home, but I wouldn't have it any other way! Of course, the best part was spending lots of time with my nephews and niece. They are growing up so fast, so I try to cherish every second with them!