Merry Christmas

We got back from Las Vegas a couple of days before Christmas. Our tree was already set up and most of our shopping was done, so it was mostly a case of needing to get stocking stuffers and food for having family over today, Christmas Day.

In our house, Santa leaves his presents out, unwrapped. Here’s what the scene looked like last night, after his visit.

Michaela is in love with Shopkins, so Santa brought her two Shopkins pillows and a set, as well as some stickers and a Shopkins coloring book. She likes magic, so he brought a big magic kit. Santa brought a crystal growing kit, some new watercolor paper, and new (matching) outfits for her and her doll.

Michaela woke up at 7:15 and ran out to the living room. She went through Santa’s gifts and we all unpacked our stockings. Then it was time for me to head outside to pick oranges off our tree for fresh-squeezed juice. I’d spent hours yesterday preparing breakfast enchiladas, so all I’d have to do was pop them in the oven this morning to bake. Forty-two oranges later, I had a gallon of juice chilling in the fridge and breakfast baking in the oven. Voila!

My parents and Mike’s cousin and her boyfriend came over and we opened more presents before breakfast. After breakfast, we opened more presents. Are you sensing a theme?

The family left and I turned my attention to the desserts I was making for our Christmas dinner. I made a fresh fruit tart and a hazelnut mousse cake. Both were delicious! My parents came back over for dinner and we enjoyed the desserts after we finished the dinner Mike made– ham, roasted brussels sprouts, green bean casserole, garlic mashed potatoes with chives, and rolls– plus a green salad I made.

Once my parents left, we all crashed. “The Great British Bake Off” was calling my name, after all the baking I did, so we relaxed with an episode before Mike got up to putter around. Michaela and I? We stayed put on the couch and vegged in front of the TV.

Between yesterday and today, we got to Skype with Mike’s mom and stepdad, and with his dad and stepmom and brothers and their families. It was a lovely Christmas.

Hope yours was fun, too!