As Mr. T pulled into the garage last night, I was caught red-handed plugging in the Christmas lights. When he inquired as to why, two days post-holiday, I would be illuminating the neighborhood, I postured that "everyone knows" you can leave your Christmas lights up until New Year's. At least. Right? I'm probably just trying to eek out a few more days of merriment and procrastinating because Lord knows un-decking the halls takes forever, but I can't help myself. It was a very merry Christmas around these parts.
We started celebrating with our fifth-annual White Elephant Extravaganza and continued with holiday parties at various friends' homes, delicious family meals, and riotous gift exchanges. I feel incredibly blessed and I'm thankful for all of the wonderful people in my life.
Hope the holiday was lovely for you, too!
xoxo,
shawna
A few, okay 4-zillion, photos:
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It's not Christmas without cookies! Peanut butter blossoms for the win! |
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I attempt to make up for having the wrapping skills of a 5-year-old by using lots of pretty bows and ribbons. |
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Christmas eve feast at my mom's |
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Bird's the word people. |
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Family "roasting" by the open fire. |
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Is it really going to be a year before I can have this again??? |
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Sisters! |
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An East Coaster, Brenda is subject to random mama kiss-attacks when she stays away for so long. |
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Eric John gets wildly excited about Christmas. Or as he says, "Christmos" |
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One of the cutest kids on the planet. |
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Maddox demonstrates proper cookie-eating form. Pinkies up! |
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Baby belly! |
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The cuteness!! |
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Marm et moi. |
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Angry Birds gear. It's what happens to Mr. T when he doesn't provide a proper Christmas list. |
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As devious as I can look holding socks and a cookie scoop. |
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This is what my mom gets for telling me "Mini-pies are the new cupcakes!" |
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I do believe this is an "Aww" happy face. |
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We're going to Disneyland!! (And Brenda gets to come, too!) |
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A gift for three. |
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I wrapped it accordingly. Lots of layers and boxes. |
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Just what everyone wants for Christmas... Communication research! |
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More layers. |
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And the possibility that I did, in fact, get the three of them one popcorn maker. |
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Copious amounts of tape. |
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And more layers! |
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Finally. Is six layers too many? |
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A fantastic expression from Emily. Lots of screaming. |
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And the best part... Brenda still doesn't know what it is... |
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Two nights at the Disneyland Hotel!! |
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Yaaayyyyyy! |
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Handsome little brother. |
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Tim and Jaba-the-Pug, aka Frankie |
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Sisters! |
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Slightly serious siblings. (And Betty) |
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Sibs. Plus two puggles. |
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The carnage. |
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Frankie, the Christmas elf. |
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Goliath, who refused to sit still long enough to wear a Christmas bow. |
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A Christmas gansta. (ha!) |
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What spoiled rotten looks like... |
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T and I have carved out a little Christmas tradition... Christmas brunch at our place. |
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I make Christmas waffles (recipe here), sausage and bacon, and Tim makes incredible (truly) eggs and potatoes. |
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Down in front! |
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This was the first year we had everyone in the same room. It's much more fun than eating at separate tables. |
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My father-in-law, Ray, promising to get back to his signature white socks after the holiday. |
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Me, T, and liquid gooooooolllllldddddd, aka mom's peach jam. |
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Emily's looking gorgeous per usual. Josh reading about his new pizza stone. And Eric John giving me death stares. Me thinks someone was in need of a Christmas nap! |
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Goliath enjoys sitting on piles of clothes, or in this case, brunch napkins. I think the cold shoulder was due to the fact that I made him wear jingle bells all morning. |
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I was offered forgiveness at the cost of one breakfast sausage. |
Labels: brunch, Christmas, cookies, Cooking, fam, family, favorites, Food, gifts, Gratitude, Mikutowski, Mr. T, personal, photography, pugs, Traditions, waffles