Eating your way through Christmas

So I don't know about you, but a big part of Christmas for me is the food.  I love it so much more than anything that is served on Thanksgiving.  And this year we definitely went all out! 

We obviously did the mandatory cookie baking.  This year I had my very own helper!  Even though it slows down the process, I *love* having my little girl help me in the kitchen!!

Showing me the cookie dough she ate

We also hosted two gatherings on Christmas, for which I was responsible for cooking.  First, we had brunch with my parents and sister on Christmas morning.  I made some chocolate chip muffins, and these two recipes I found on Pinterest.

Crockpot sausage casserole

Cinnamon French Toast Bake

OMG were they amazing!  And so simple!  Seriously, run out and buy the ingredients right now to make them.  You will thank me later.

Christmas evening we had all of Skip's family over for a big dinner.  My dad had given me a ham the night before, so I was just responsible for the appetizer, sides, and dessert.  Again, all of my inspiration came from Pinterest!

Most amazing spinach dip ever

Green bean casserole

Baked ziti

Crockpot potatoes au gratin

Chocolate cake with white chocolate and peppermint icing

What did we do before Pinterest?  What kinds of food did you serve on Christmas?

Christmas Day

We had a wonderful Christmas day as a family.  We were so blessed that Skip was home with us that day, as that rarely happens!!  We woke up early with the girls and headed downstairs to see what Santa had brought!  Little M was so excited rip open all her gifts and start playing with them immediately!  Baby C was not as into it, but she did seem to have some fun.

Santa came!

Once we were done with all the family/Santa gifts.  My parents and sister came over for even MORE gifts!  We were all spoiled by all the wonderful gifts.  Little M received the PERFECT gift from my parents....a giant horse!!!  That with the dollhouse we bought her have been her favorite things to play with!  We then had a nice brunch with my family and then they left so we could get ready for our dinner party with Skip's family.

What do you think this present is Little M? 

A horsie...the BIGGEST one!

She was right!

We had another nice meal with Skip's family and we managed to get some great pictures with the girls {even though Little M wanted nothing to do with it}  After they left we had some of our guy friends over to watch football.  What a perfect way to end the holiday!

Of course the horse has to get in on the action

First Christmas as a family of four!

Love my sweet girl!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Hey guys!!  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!  I know we did over here, and I'm happy to say I think it was the best Christmas I've ever had!  I'm going to be boring you with recaps for the next few days, so hang in there with me!

Christmas Eve has always been more special to me than actual Christmas day.  I love the anticipation and pure magic of it all.  This one was no different.

I had spent the days prior finishing up shopping, wrapping, and baking so I could just relax and enjoy the holiday as much as possible.  That was working out great until I realized late Friday morning that I had somehow lost Baby C's Christmas jammies.  And there was no way I was going to just forget about her wearing special jammies for Christmas!

So I woke up Christmas Eve and hit up Kohls to get some last-minute things.  Surprisingly it was not as crowded as I thought it was going to be.  Once I got home, we had lunch together as a family, and then Skip had to get ready to go to work:(  He reluctantly left at 1:00 and then it was GAMETIME for the girls and I!!!

GO BIG BLUE!!

Even Mr. B got in on the action!

The Giants were playing the Jets.  Playoffs were on the line.  And with both teams being from New Jersey York, it is a *huge* rivalry around here.  Thankfully though the game ended in the Giants favor, so I was a happy girl!

Once the game was over, the girls and I headed over to my parents house for dinner.  We had a huge, delicious meal, and exchanged gifts with my baby sister and her fiance.

Giving me the stink eye...somebody doesn't understand the naughty/nice list

Playing games with Grandmom

Snuggles with her aunt

Back home I had the girls open up their Christmas jammies and got them tucked into bed...Santa had some work to do!

Since we were having tons of family over the next day, I spent the rest of the night cleaning, preparing, and cooking.  Once Skip got home around 11 pm, Santa came and got to work putting out presents and filling stockings.  We headed off to bed around 2 am, but it was another hour before I could fall asleep.  I was just too excited thinking about Little M's expression when she saw all her gifts!

Santa at work!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Mr. B....no help

Merry Christmas!

We just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!

Ultimate Christmas List with an Add-On

This is the guest post I wrote for Lindsey yesterday if you didn't get a chance to read it!

I am sooo very excited to be joining the Twelve Days of Christmas here on Lindsay's blog.  What a great idea it is!!  It's funny because I have only 'known' Lindsay for just over a week, but we're already fast friends.  We are both SAHMs, with two daughters, living in Jersey, and a *huge* love of the Giants!  So I was just honored when she asked me to be a guest on her blog!!

So anyway, HI!!  My name is Mandy.

You can find me blogging semi-regularly over at Mommy Musings. 

I started blogging almost three years ago when I was a brand-spakin' new mom of a four month old girl.  I was a former teacher turned SAHM and really had no idea what I was doing.  Now I'm a seasoned not so new-mom of TWO little girls. 

Baby C is six months old

Little M just turned 3

I still don't really know what I'm doing, but I've resigned myself to the fact that I don't think it's going to change much.  I've been married to this former Marine, current cop for 6 1/2 years.

I'm constantly blogging, tweeting, and facebooking...and love nothing more than meeting new internet friends!  So that's pretty much sums me up, now on to my post!

Remember when you were a little kid and you got to write out your Christmas wish list to Santa?  It could pretty much contain whatever your heart desired from a pony to a swimming pool.  You knew you weren't going to get any of those big ticket items, but it was nice to dream anyway.

For my post today, I've decided to bring that tradition back and make my own 'dream big' Christmas list.  I know I won't be getting any of the things on here, but this is what I would wish for if there really was a Santa {you know, other than me, haha}

Some new workout gear

This dress and a fun party to wear it to!

A workout gym in my house

These gorgeous grey boots

Really long blond hair

Fancy front-loading washer and dryer

This gorgeous hottub

Now, Skip and I *were* going to get I Phones for Christmas this year.  The AT&T website said we were due for an upgrade on December 14th...perfect.  We went to the store and they were sold out.  But not to be discouraged we headed out to Best Buy the next day.  They had them and were getting ready to set it all up when the girl pointed out that we were due for an upgrade on December 14th....OF TWO THOUSAND AND TWELVE!!  Apparently I can't even read a year right.  So no I Phones this year for us since I can't justify paying $350 for each of our phones

A trip with Turks and Caicos with just Skip, no babies.  I need a beach, a bikini, and some sleep!

What things would be on your ultimate Christmas list?


*Quick little amendment to the list.  The other night Skip surprised me with gift cards to Best Buy to get myself an I Phone.  And he did it in style....like the posterboard scene in Love Actually style....I could not love him more.  It seems like Santa really does exist!!