{ This years table setting }

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. It’s one of the few times of year where everyone in my family slows down and is able to gather around the table, eat dinner and catch up. Even-though we all live in the same town, everyone is constantly running in a million different directions, which hardly leaves anytime to relax and chat. As all the cousins have gotten older, it’s amazing to sit around the table and look at how grown up and mature everyone has become (especially the boys in the family, with their deep voices). We usually have many Christmas traditions… such as prime rib for dinner, and our annual ornament exchange between cousins, but this year we switched it up a bit (Filet Mignon for dinner, and a blanket exchange).  I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas/family times as much as my family and I did, here’s a glimpse of what went on in our household December 24/25th, 2010.

{ We always get to open one present on Christmas eve and it’s always our new pajamas }

{ Table Decor }

{ DIY place cards with a touch of Christmas tree }

{ A breakfast casserole tradition with some healthy fruit to make up for all the desserts we were preparing to eat that night }

{ Our annual ornament exchange that turned into a “hand-made” blanket exchange this year }

{ Cream of Spinach Soup }

{Salad with dried cranberries, garbanzo/kidney beans and a homemade dressing}

{ Filet Mignon, Twice Baked Potatoes, Asparagus, Sauteed Mushrooms }

{ Dixie even decided to get in the holiday spirit by letting grandma put on her sweater }