there's no place like home ..... for the holidays (or anytime)

Christmas is now just three days away and the excitement is mounting. The decorations are up, gifts are wrapped, music is playing. We just returned from a Christmas get-a-way with family. We talked, we laughed, we ice skated, we skied, we sledded, we stayed up way too late drinking hot cocoa by the fire, we ate way too much. We played pool. Our cabin had a pool table and I don't think I don't think I have ever played that much pool in my life! But what fun .... It was cold ..... 1 degree yesterday morning! But it was perfect.

We really didn't buy many gifts this year. Instead we did thoughtful little treats for the family, and simply had time together. That's the real gift for all .... Time. Memories. Spending time with the kiddos, ice skating together, going to the bakery and eating cinnamon rolls bigger than their faces! Playing pool with my father, who loves to play. Enjoying cousins we rarely see, chatting about music (a big interest of theirs), and simply partaking in some holiday cheer! For me, I truly enjoyed watching everyone enjoy one another, my children and husband, my parents and my cousins. It was truly a sweet time. (Pics will follow)

But today we are onto baking. The list is long ..... Ginger snaps, chocolate crinkles, chocolate chip cookies (my kiddos favorite), banana not bread, sour dough, and I'm sure a few other things that I'm forgetting. This is a tradition I love. We bake. And then we share. The kiddos will load up our red wagon and deliver to the neighbors and tonight we'll drop in on friends with their treats. Once all is done, we will snuggle in on the couch and enjoy a Christmas movie together.

These are the moments I love .....

Now off to baking ..... (and more coffee)