Merry Christmas!

 Another Christmas is in the YaYa history books and blog.  Whew, I was bit worried I wouldn't get it all done, but with Jack's help and sometimes guidance, it was accomplished.  I did take time Tuesday night to go walk a fairly new activity in Ashland.  It was started a few years ago and now has grown much bigger and draws more folks to this free family time.  The Candy Cane trail has also made it into the Guiness book of records, I know that has to do with the number of lights but not sure the name of the true record.

I grabbed my walking partner with her Santa Paws sweater and took off to the trail.  The weather was warm for us...50de...but a bit misty.  The trail is completely paved but Annabelle managed to find some wet and messy grass.  This little white dog had a quick bath when we got home!

Beautiful lights and little vignettes depicting all the Christmas stories from the Navity to Santa, elves, reindeer, and even Charlie Brown.  Love it!   The next day was Christmas Eve and I was off and running preparing food, wrapping gifts, and watching old Christmas movies along the way. 

Jack and I did take time for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of breakfast for dinner.  We've done this since our kiddos were little because we couldn't get them to eat breakfast Christmas morning, so we ate it the night before!  Now it's just us but we still enjoy this tradition.  We were up late into the night/morning to get all the gifts finally wrapped and all the food ready.  

The living room was set up to accommodate the family, friends, and anyone who wanted to stop by. The gifts were great but having everyone together was the real gift and it's what makes all the prep and rush and late nights worth it!  I didn't get food pics except ones of some appetizers.

They were good but the honey baked ham, (thank you Jordan for that!) and cheesy potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, cranberry relish, mac'n cheese (thanks Phil for that!) Evelyn's green fluff, roles and many desserts really made the day. We had about 18 folks all total.  It was great! We also played games. 

Jordan and Haylee had a mad game of marshmallow knockoff.  I believe Haylee was champ! In the dining room there was another game that my friend Brenda brought.  She made the cutest prizes, and I threw in the lottery tickets.  

Driana was giving it her best.  I know she was one of the few who won some money with the tickets...4 whole whopping dollars but she was happy!  Well, I usually get group shots and more pics but I was busy keeping it all running..that's my story and I'm sticking to it.  I did get one shot of a couple:

Jordan and Brittany with sweet Haylee.  It took many shots to get Haylee to just smile.

She was more interested in silly shots, and I loved this one!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.  Now it's time for that long winter's nap!