Weekend Plans...And Christmas 2013

Here we are...at the start of a brand new year. I hope your Christmas and New Years were happy, holy, and healthy...just as ours were. We were blessed with health and home and spent endless days in our jammies watching movies, playing games, and eating cookies. Now, as we store those cozy memories deep in our hearts, we look ahead to the days to come. Although I am often sad that the magical days of those holidays are behind us, I am comforted by the fact that my sweet little family is together and happy and healthy and that before we know it, those special holidays will be back as the year comes full circle again.

This first weekend of January promises to be what January should be...cold and snowy and cozy! As I write this, I am planning on going to visit my father on Friday as Saturday is his 79th birthday. : ) I am hoping we are able to visit him and take him the soft, cozy snowman fleece throw to keep him warm this winter. As long as the roads are passable, my hubby will get us there!

Saturday is a free day. I think we will dust off and pack away the Christmas decorations. I am leaving up the tree for a while...it is in the corner and not in the way. And I love the lights during quiet winter evenings. : ) Dinner will be Hunts Burgers. My husband searched the Internet until he found the recipe for one of his favorite recipes from his childhood. I will let you know how they turn out! After dinner, we are attending late Mass, as Rhett is serving.

Sunday is the tidy up...rest up...and get back to normal day. I am going to put a pot of sauce on the stove in the morning and make up some meatballs for spaghetti for dinner. Then we will gather on the sofa for some Steeler-less playoff football. Oh well, there's always next year. : )

And that is what my little family will be doing this first weekend of the new year. I hope yours is happy and healthy and cozy, whatever your plans may be. Thanks for visiting...I count you all among my blessings this year!

Here are some pictures of Christmas in our country home. : )

We started our Christmas Eve Day by lighting our special candle...

We mixed up reindeer food in soft Christmas jammies...

We jumped for joy when we realized that we would have a white Christmas...

We wrapped and delivered the last of the neighbor gifts...

We set out our own plate of yummy cookies...

and had an afternoon snack. : )

After a bit, we set the table and had a delicious Christmas Eve meal.

After dinner, we posed for the traditional Christmas Eve in front of the fireplace photo...

and another...

and just one more.

After Mass, we sprinkled the reindeer food on the snowy lawn so Santa could find his way...

then we had dessert...cookies...cheesecake...and this year, a chocolate peanut butter cake for Baby Jesus. : )

Then it was bedtime...on the most magical night of the year.

Christmas morning!!! And yes...we do the top of the steps picture every. single. year.

First we opened stockings...and then we ate breakfast...

Then we ran downstairs to see what Santa had brought! Madison was thrilled with her Sephora make up case. And really thrilled when she opened it and saw it was filled with make up!

My Peyton...soooooo happy that Santa somehow managed to acquire a Walking Dead cast photo autographed by her four favorite people!!!!

My little Rhett...growing up on me...was so thankful for his iPad mini. : )

And my little baby was so busy playing that I couldn't get a picture, but she was so excited with her baby changing table and crib. : )

And for Mommy? Steve got me the most beautiful necklace...now my babes will be close to my heart...literally. : )

We spent the day in our jammies, eating and playing and resting. My mom came up for dinner and we opened more gifts and relaxed in front of the tree.

Thank you Christmas 2013...thank you for the fun and the food and the family and the magical moments etched forever on my heart.