We celebrated Christmas this past weekend with my inlaws, and Santa Claus decided to come to Kennedy a little early since we will be with my parents on Christmas.
We kicked the weekend off with a dinner that I hosted at our home for Dave's family.
For the first time in her life, K decided not to nap. It made for a long day of preparing and I was certain she would flip out and pass out by the time our guests arrived. However, much to my surprise, she was delightful and slap happy.
I'm pretty sure she was delirious! At least she was pleasant. She really turned on her "hostess with the mostess" attitude and oh how grateful I was!
Here's the table setting before.
And here is the buffet. I served mashed potatoes, corn, broccoli/cheese casserole and a Honey Baked Ham. Mmmmmm
No, I did not bake these desserts! Someone gave them to us as a gift. I did make a yummy Heath Bar cake. It's super easy! Here is the recipe for those in need of a delicious dessert that is extremely easy.
Here's my little stinker and I. By the way, I have taught her how to say "I stink", which sounds more like "Ishtantk". Rotten stinker. ;)
After dinner, K had a few gifts to open.
She squealed with delight!
Then she ran as this little guy chased behind.
I love this picture with Dave's grandparents. She was telling her great-grandpa to "hurry up!" How rude. My child has no patience. HA!
And Granny finally gets her new doll to her.
Completely mesmerized by the fact that she gets presents! And inside are toys! For her! She was amazed.
And with every gift, she must show it off to other family members like Uncle Steve and Granny.
Unfortunately sharing our gifts and presents is a problem!
We had a great time with Dave's family. I LOVE my house full of loved ones. It makes me love our home even more and the memories we are making here.
After it was just the three of us and K crashed from a no nap kinda day... Santa Claus went to work until....ohhhhh... around 1:30 a.m. putting together toys. I never appreciated Santa or his elves nearly as much as I should have as a child.
For this face though.... I would say that Santa thinks it's totally worth it!
She was completely and utterly engulfed in happiness. HA!
But... she was a little sleepy still too.
But... ohhhh... so in love. She kept saying, "Shanna! Shanna!" In case you are wondering...Santa! And yes... she has been a very, very good girl this past year.
I was so thrilled to receive this package in the mail on Saturday.
My friend, Traci, makes all kinds of goodies for little ones. She made this ornament shirt with a K for my sweet girl! Check her work out here at Lex and Louie's photo stream!
Saturday truly felt like Christmas in our house. We relaxed and chilled out. I love being with family for Holidays more than anything, but having a special day for just the three of us to start new traditions was perfect.
Sunday morning we woke up and headed to Sunday School.
She truly is my gift!
After church we headed to Dave's parents' home to celebrate some more.
We went ahead and exchanged gifts with everyone since we aren't there on actual Christmas day. Dave and I ended up with an awesome photo printer and a gift card to a Japanese steakhouse with a "free babysitting" service included. {Provided by her grandparents of course!}
Kennedy opened more toys!
And made Uncle Steve hurry up and open each one!
She was a walking zombie! Once again, she was too wired to nap.
I love this one of my sister-n-law and my nephew.
I could not get Elijah to look!
And more family shots with the inlaws....
Notice who is missing from every single shot? DAVE! He was behind the camera most of the time, but I don't see how he managed to hide from it completely. Oh well! I promised him that he wouldn't escape next weekend.
We ended the weekend with going to see our church's musical. The sets and costumes and live animals and singing and orchestra was absolutely beautiful. Tears streamed down my cheeks because the whole evening was nostalgic of the times I was in Christmas musicals at a past church I attended in high school. It was such a sweet time being a part of a Greg Cagle musical. {My former music minister that performed our wedding ceremony.} I was also filled with thankfulness as Kennedy sat squirming because I was so happy that we are a part of a church that can do such an AMAZING musical. {I wish I had pictures}. I'm thankful for the PEOPLE that love Jesus enough to share the gospel in this way. I feel so blessed that Kennedy will see the gospel performed and have a chance to be a part of it all as she grows because this type of ministry had such a strong impact on my life and my faith. God is so good. I'm thankful for where I've been and thankful for where I am now. Our church and church family is AMAZING and for the first time in FIVE years we truly feel home with NO doubts that this is where God wants us to grow and learn and serve. This is one of the most amazing gifts!
As the real baby {of members from our Sunday School class} played baby Jesus, he cried and cried on stage. It made it so much more real to me hearing him cry for some reason. Jesus was a living, breathing baby that cried and had dirty diapers. Unbelievable. Mary and Joseph were so devoted to and so in love with God that they trusted Him with everything. I can't imagine the joy Mary and Joseph felt as they held him in the manger that night. I dream and imagine what Kennedy will grow to be, but they truly had no idea that he would grow to die and save us all! His birth was truly the beginning of our saving grace. I'm so thankful for my Savior and for His many gifts in my life. I'm just in a state of complete and utter thankfulness and joy tonight. I know that my loved ones who are not with us this Christmas are at his feet worshipping. I can't imagine. I can't fathom. I cling to the hope and promise that we will all someday be in Jesus' presence celebrating His birth, His death and His resurrection.
So here I am tonight.... so grateful for our time with family and for our wonderful gifts, but most of all, for the reason we are able to celebrate....able to even breathe another breath without being sent straight to hell for our evil ways. I pray that any of you reading this who may not be a Christian would accept Him as Savior of your life this Christmas. It will truly be the BEST gift you could ever have! If you feel like God is calling you to do so, then please please please don't hesitate to email me at daveandbritplusone@gmail.com I will NEVER be too busy to share this joy and love that He has given me with you!
Sorry this has been a Christmas smorgasbord. My heart is just bursting tonight in so many different directions!
I'm taking off from a week of blogging to focus on family and celebrate my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ's birth and what that means for me as His child!
May you all be blessed with the merriest CHRISTmas ever and truly know the reason for the season!
