Christmas Day Festivities

Following the absolute torture we inflicted on our children   the nice sit down breakfast of sausage and egg casserole, fresh fruit, and warm from the oven cheese danishes, we proceeded towards round two of present opening.  (As if the gifts from Santa weren't enough....)  Late Christmas morning is when we exchange gifts from each other (the requisite books and clothes from Mommy and Daddy), little toys from each sibling to one another that they picked out and helped wrap themselves, and of course, the generous gifts from friends out of state.

All that adds up to a little bit of Christmas overload.

And once everything was opened, it was time to play!  And dear Jack found a new improved use for his little wagon (that really is supposed to hold big legos, but also is the perfect size for a little 20 month old.)  He insisted that we each take turns pulling him around in laps around the house - from the den, through the kitchen, and down the hall, through the living room to the dining room, and back to the kitchen again.  Over, and over, and over again....

Pure unadulterated Christmas excess.

A few of the Christmas cookies I packed up to share with Deonne's family on Christmas Day - gingerbread cut outs, sugar cookie cut outs, Italian sesame seed cookies, pizelle cookies, sand tarts,  salted praline bars, and almond roca.

The Christmas Cake.  I have to say, even I'm impressed with myself over this masterpiece.  I'd seen the tutorials across the world of baker blogs and thought I'd try to make a ribbon cake for Christmas.  It turned out so well, and was actually so easy, it may be my new favorite way to decorate a cake!  Inside was a dark chocolate three layer cake with chocolate ganache filling, and the icing itself was a swiss meringue buttercream.  Oh.  So.  Yummy!!!

And the stars on top are edible glitter starts found at Hobby Lobby - thanks to the tip from Nic!

After we'd all had a chance to play with our new Christmas goodies - for me, a chance to flip through the new Barefoot Contessa cookbook - and Jack had his nap - we piled in the car for a trip to grandma and grandpa's house where we dined with a traditional turkey dinner and all the trimmings.  And, then, time for more presents!

Anna has been dying for a Pillow Pet forever - at least since last spring.  She was tickled purple to receive her prized purple unicorn pillow pet from Aunt Mary and Uncle Harry.

And not to be left out - James also received a monkey pillow pet - our little monkey-man - and Jack a puppy.

Oh, what a glorious and generous Christmas we had!

We can certainly say we had a very Merry Christmas - and by the end of the evening on December 25, tucked three little ones to bed whose Christmas dreams had been fulfilled.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!