Christmas Vacation

We spent 10 glorious days in Kentucky over the Christmas holiday.
We have not had that much family time in, well...I can't remember how long.

I realized after getting back to Oklahoma, I didn't take my "real" camera out nearly as much as I normally do.
It was nice, actually, and between the few camera shots I did take and the ones captured on my phone--I'd say Christmas was adequately documented...

Christmas Eve Candlelight service at First Baptist.
It was beautiful, warm, welcoming, and such a joy to take the time and really focus on the True Light.

Aubrey was really into Rudolph this Christmas.

Zubie and Aubrey decorated this tiny tree one late afternoon. 

It was just begging for some Christmas cheer. 

It's hard to really see here, but trust me, it was cute. :)

We ate well over those 10 days, that is for sure (the scales can attest to that!).
These Christmas morning cinnamon rolls...oh my...more like sinamon rolls!

Anytime Zubie was in the kitchen, there were always two male scavengers roaming around licking their lips...

I don't know why exactly, but this picture just makes me happy...

In addition to all the food...there were lots of gifts to be given!

And as Uncle Jacob said, "If anyone could 'win' Christmas, it would be Aubrey."

(That would be chocolate on her face, by the way.)

All that and Santa had yet to come!

Luckily Old St. Nick kept it super simple this year.

He went with the 4-gift motto:
Something she wants (kitty cat)
Something she needs (new panties)
Something to wear (Aurora dress)
Something to read. (Big Picture Bible)
Along with just a few extras.

Aubrey had wanted a "real" kitty that goes to the potty in a "glitter" box.
Santa brought her a robotic cat that purrs/walks/meows instead.
Thankfully, she didn't seem disappointed.
Oh, and for those interested, the kitty has been named Violet.

And just for kicks: the customary scraggly Christmas morning family photo...

(I wore my nightshirt with LOVE on it in honor of Shisi.)

Of course we couldn't forget the Birthday Party for Jesus on Christmas morning!

This year Aubrey requested a chocolate cake with strawberry icing.
She put the candles on herself, and then realized, "OH NO! I made the J for Jesus backward! Sorry, Jesus!"

We had snow over the holiday! Oh what fun!
Catching snowflakes...


Making snow angels...


Snowball fights...

Building a snowman...

Now, let's take a moment and get the full effect of Daniel's snow gear, shall we?
A 1998 Daviess County High School Cross Country State Champs wind-breaker.
Oh how I love that man. Even wearing that outfit.

The majority of the holiday was spent loungin' and lovin'...

One of my favorite evenings was getting together with my mom and sister at a local coffee shop.
We talked, we laughed, we cried.
I wish we could do this more often...

We also got to stick around for Pop Pop's birthday! We grabbed some hometown BBQ for dinner and finished it off with an ice cream cake. It was a fun (and loud!) evening celebrating this guy...LOVE YOU, DAD!!

It was an incredibly wonderful holiday...
I can't wait to add another little munchkin to our family picture next Christmas!