It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

As the endless preparations, shopping, decorating, wrapping and baking wound down...finally...Christmas week was upon us. It proved to be a wonderful week spent enjoying time with both of our families, lots of food and plenty of treats under the tree.

Sunday night was the Annual Chili Dinner with Jordan's extended family. Every year 30+ of us gather together at Jordan's aunt and uncle's house for chili and a dirty santa exchange. It is always a funny night with plenty of healthy banter back and forth as everyone positions for the best dirty santa gift!

Laurel (our niece on Jordan's side) donning Mr. Potato Head's Santa Gear

Jordo's cousin, Lindsey, with her Dirty Santa snag...yes, it's a pig cookie jar

Gray (nephew on J's side) is seriously the funniest little man...even his big bro Peyton think so

Christmas Eve Jordan and I went to our Church , just the 2 of us, to enjoy their Christmas Eve service for the very first time!!! Every year past we have either gone with his or my family to their churches for Christmas Eve. It was really a neat time to share together - our very 1st real Christmas Eve tradition, just the 2 of us.

Christmas morning Jordan and I were up bright and early (clarification, early rising is thanks to our dog, not a child) to head over to Nana and Papa's.

Sophie in her Santa dress, and oh-so-pleased about it, too, can't ya tell?!

Christmas morning was an absolute ball. Each year that we spend it with Jordan's family, we (25 of us) head over to his Nana and Papa's house. From newborns to adults, everyone is in coordinating pajamas -it is quite a sight to see. This Christmas morning was as fun as ever, with the numbers of kiddos growing by the year :). I loved watching ALL of Jordan's cousins squeal with excitement and delight as they ripped into their gifts.

Jordan and his dad were the "elves" in charge of passing out the presents. Niiiice hats!

As soon as opening gifts and a big breakfast wrapped up, the hubs and I were off to our house to get ready for yet another Christmas celebration- Waco style.

We loaded the car and headed South for Waco to spend Christams evening with my side of the family. It is so nice to be close enough to see each family at Christmas and we love not having to miss spending time with either side. Christmas in Waco was a wonderful time, all over again. Ash, Scott and Mabry came over mid-afternoon. Tear, tear, Reg and Brooke left that a.m. to celebrate with her family. We SO missed seeing them. Ahhh...tear, tear.

We all opened up gifts, with the star of the show being Mabry, as she discovered her new pink bicycle from Cici and Poppa.

Christmas Night we enjoyed the most deelish dinner, a family tradition, beef tender, as prepared by my dad. So.Dern.Good.

Admiring Mom's craftiness

Some of us were happier than Sophie others to literally be "in" the Christmas Spirit.

Having the chance to celebrate the birth of our Savior with both our families is truly a blessing. I am so fortunate to have married a man who values and loves family as much as I do.

Christmas is a time of hope, a time of peace and a time of love...all made possible by a little baby boy, brought down to Earth, a gift given to us from the Lord, so that we could experience- again and again, the hope of what is to come, the peace of what is today and an everlasting love from our Father above.

Whether with famiies big or small, celebrations great or small, I hope you all enjoyed your Holidays!