i'll be home for christmas

I am dreaming tonight of a place I love
Even more than I usually do
And although I know it's a long road back
I promise you

I'll be home for Christmas

You can count on me

Please have snow and mistletoe

And presents under the tree

Christmas Eve will find me

Where the love light gleams

I'll be home for Christmas...

No need to dream of a return home for Christmas this year, as we would not only be returning for the holiday, but for an extended stay, perhaps the greatest present the grandparents would receive.  Our holiday was filled with many treasured moments as we celebrated our Savior's birth, treated ourselves to the sweet samplings of holiday cookies, appreciated tall trees and their beautiful decorations, opened countless gifts, shared  meals, and introduced the littlest to extended family members for the first time.

Christmas Eve, we participated in a small gift exchange at Papa and Nany's home before heading to Aunt Dawn's house for a Mexican feast.

 

Settling down for Papa's annual Christmas Eve devotion.

Christmas morning we awoke to the savory smells of Mimi's delicious egg casserole.  But before we would enjoy Christmas brunch, we spent the morning unwrapping
presents.

There is something extra special about having a little baby around the holidays.  The littlest slept through most of the morning's excitement, but sure looked festive as she slumbered. 

A favorite tradition, unwrapping each delicately wrapped present Mimi places in our stockings.

A favorite tradition of mine, baking a birthday cake for Jesus with the little lady.

Last year we splurged making Barefoot Contessa's coconut cake with pillowy cream cheese frosting; however, this year we kept things simple and made a box cake with homemade cream cheese frosting, dyed green for added merriment. I'm sure having an infant had nothing to do with that decision. 

naughty or nice...the three sweetest gifts a mother could ask for