Hal and I had a very busy and wonderful Christmas holiday with our families.  A few days before Christmas we celebrated Christmas just the two of us.  Since this was our first year in our new home we wanted to celebrate here.  I made spiral ham, mac n cheese (from scratch), green bean casserole, croissants, and apple dumplings for our dinner.  We then read the Christmas story and opened presents.  It’s so nice to know that Hal puts such thought in the gifts he gives me.  He built me a computer (yes, he is geeky like that), bought me an iPod (yes, my first), and got some other great things.  Hal got a black velvet jacket, a board game (we’re into stuff like that), some cologne and other small stuff.  We listened to Christmas music, lit candles, and just got to enjoy sharing our Christmas memories and making new ones.

We spent Christmas Eve with my family.  We went to a candlelit service at my aunt, cousin and uncle’s church and then went over to their house after that.  We ate some fantastic food, laughed a lot, cried a little, opened presents and reminisced.  After we left my extended family’s house, we drove over to my parent’s house to open gifts there.  I was so excited to get a Keurig coffee maker (gotta love those pods), some other kitchen gadgets, a purse, jewelry, and other fun things.

We spent Christmas day with Hal’s family.  I was fighting a cold, as was Hal’s dad, so we spent the day napping and being lazy.  When our nephew, Tyler, came over we read the Christmas story, prayed and then opened gifts round-robin style.  I got a whole box of gift cards to use at Target, Kohls, Bed&Bath and Beyond.  I can’t wait!!  The Weber’s had invited a friend and their next door neighbor to share dinner with us.  I love that they open up their home like that.  After dinner, we just sat around and talked and watched movies.

We headed back to Myrtle Beach on Friday after eating lunch with my parents.  It was almost bittersweet because I miss them already.  I love Christmas with our families because there is such love in each home, such compassion and grace.  I am blessed to be part of two families who love the Lord with all their hearts and live that out each day.  As we celebrated the birth of Christ and fellowshipped together, I felt more at peace than I have in a long time.   Here are some pictures.

Here are the annual Christmas pajamas… Hal’s have gold reindeer and mine have pink convertibles with Christmas trees tied on top.

Hal doesn’t exactly like dogs.  But Cody, my mom’s dog, loves Hal.  Here is a picture of Hal tolerating Cody napping in his lap.

The girls of the family: my cousin Lauren, me, and my sister-in-law Kimberly

Your truly

My twin brother Steven and his wife, Kimberly

My little brother Chris and cousin Lauren, they were born within a few weeks of each other.

My aunt Lori, uncle Dennis, my mom and dad

Hal and I at his parent’s house

Our nephew, Tyler, opening his gift from us…a Chick-fil-A cap, he’s nuts about hats.

Hal’s mom, Glenda, opening our gift to her.

We didn’t get many pics from Hal’s family Christmas…they aren’t picture freaks like my family.  So today we are embarking on a new challenge….painting our new home.  We’re getting started on the kitchen today, and will work on the bedroom and rest of the living room over the course of Hal’s break from teaching.  Anyway, so that was our week.  I hope you and your family had a great Christmas as well.