Christmas Day

or should I say, Winter Wonderland?  

It was GLORIOUS waking up to a scene straight out of a Christmas card. . . what a beautiful day the Lord blessed us with!

Cole awoke early (well, 7:45. . . early for him these days) and Michael kept him occupied in his room while I got the video camera ready.  We couldn't miss his sweet expressions as he ran into the living room to see all of Santa's goodies.

Heading straight for the big one

His new wooden easel (which he's enjoyed non-stop these past few days. . .)

We hear that Santa loves IKEA and got it for a STEAL!

So cozy in his new outer space sleeping bag

A CD full of songs using his name - it's so cute!

Clothes and M&M headphones

Stocking time!

Mom and Dad's turn. . .

After opening presents, I had planned to cook us a yummy breakfast of biscuits, sausage, bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, and pancakes; BUT, since I was up the entire night before with an upset stomach (evidently, Cade isn't a fan of chili these days), Michael fixed a simplified version. . . which was delicious none the less.

Upon entering the kitchen for breakfast, Cole noticed a letter that Santa had left for him.

He was shocked and so excited!

After breakfast it was a morning of reading the Word, lounging in pjs, playing with new toys, and cherishing moments as a family of three.  I have a feeling that next year may be a little different with a five year old and an eight month old :)  Can't wait!

Around noon, we headed to my grandmother's home for a semi-traditional meal.  I say semi, because in years past, we've always done breakfast/brunch.  Since Kyle and Laura now spend Christmas morning with her family, we've decided to make lunch our special meal together.  Potato soup, sandwiches, shrimp, dips, and other goodies with another batch of presents rounded out our afternoon.

The past few years, we've also begun the Christmas Cracker tradition.  Little musical instruments, jokes, yo-yos, and colorful crowns were our special prizes hidden inside.

Laura, Gigi, myself, and Mom G sporting our crowns. . . 

It was nearing nap time (for all of us), so we made the long trek next door to my parent's home where we would spend the evening.  Pizza and wings were on the menu and we later enjoyed opening up our gifts to one another.

Daddy's surprise gift from Mommy

Laura's laptop surprise

Cole's favorite. . . his long-awaited V-Reader  

Because of the impending weather, we all decided to spend the night. . . seven of us plus three dogs made for a fun evening :)  Games and a movie were the agenda - what a wonderful Christmas!  

Christmas Eve

We had a wonderful, relaxing Christmas this year celebrating our Savior's birth with family.  And yes. . . you heard me right. . . relaxing.  I refuse to let stress or the 'hustle and bustle' of the season take center stage - especially when the precious holiday moments seem to pass so quickly.  It seems that we plan for months with present buying, gift wrapping, decorating, baking, parties, etc., and then, in a blink of an eye, it's over and routine activities ensue.

I must say, part of this relaxation comes from the blessing of having all our family close by. Our furthest trek is to Chattanooga and that usually takes place after the 'formal' holiday has ended.  We've never had to rush here, rush there, leave this family gathering early to head to the next one. . .it's so nice to just sit and savor the meaning and joy of the season.

Christmas Eve began with a yummy breakfast (not to mention that Cole slept until 9:00!), cookie making for Santa, and Happy Birthday Jesus cupcakes.

We then followed suit with our "What God Wants For Christmas" tradition with Cole.  It's a great way to share the meaning of Christmas with little ones - ending with what God wants most this Christmas. . . YOU!

While Cole napped, Michael and I watched White Christmas and began to get ready for Christmas festivities with my family that evening.

Around 5:00, we headed to my aunt's home for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner - soup bar (this year was vegetable beef stew and chili w/ fixins), veggie tray, bread/cheese/grape tray, and country ham w/biscuits.  Add the SLEW of desserts w/ boiled custard and we were stuffed!

Now that he is reading, Cole enjoyed passing out all the presents this year.  He opened first (can't keep the little one waiting), and then we followed per our tradition - one family member at a time.  I love this!  We really get to see what every one receives and it makes the fun last just a little bit longer :)

While looking at Christmas lights on our way home, the snow began to fall with some of the largest flakes I can remember.  It was beautiful!  Cole was in awe as were we - a great reminder that, because of Jesus, we too can be washed whiter than snow.

Once home, it was time to prepare for Santa's arrival.  Fruit punch (Cole's request) and cookies were laid out along with a letter that Cole dictated and I wrote.

Reindeer dust and food were sprinkled on the front lawn so Rudolph and the others could have a sparkly path to land and receive a much needed energy boost.  

I bought this little 'kit' at a craft fair last year.  It reads. . .

This little pack is special

It holds all the things you need

To make sure Santa visits and

Leaves our gifts on Christmas Eve.

The reindeer dust you sprinkle

On the path outside at night

Then Rudolph will know just where to land

Guided by its sparkling light.

After you're bathed and read to,

Lay down your sleepy head

Then blow this Santa whistle

Before you go to bed.

The noise will then alert him 

To let him know it's time to call

He'll make his way to your home

And leave presents for one and all.

(Cole LOVED it!)

  

Buddy, our funny elf, was bid farewell - we can't wait for his arrival again next year! 

After opening our traditional Christmas Eve jammies, Cole fell asleep the minute his head hit the pillow with Michael and I close behind.  It was a perfect day!

 

Santa's Wonderland

A few weeks ago, Michael, Gigi, and I headed to our nearby Bass Pro Shop to let Cole explore Santa's Wonderland.  This was our first visit, and we weren't sure what to expect.  What fun we had!  Games, crafts, music, toys, and the jolly man himself made for a fun (FREE) night. 

Decorating a wooden reindeer ornament and fun Christmas coloring pages

Playing with remote controlled cars, trains, and Bebe guns - a boys heaven!

Chatting with Santa - our favorite line was "Santa, where did you get that beautiful shirt?"

Our freebie picture to remember the fun night

Dinner at Cock of the Walk afterwards was a fun treat.

Holiday Goodies

I love holiday baking (for others as well as our family) and treasure my time with Cole in the kitchen.  He loves to help and is a great assistant as we mix, chop, stir, and bake.

(He's quite the taste-tester too. . . we haven't found much that doesn't taste yummy off the sides of a mixing bowl or a few beaters :) )

As promised, here are a few recipes of our favorite goodies this season.

Cranberry Pecan Bread:

1 and 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground cloves

2 eggs

1/2 c. orange juice

3/4 c. packed brown sugar

1/3 c. cooking oil

1 c. dried cranberries (I use Craisins)

1/2 c. pecans; chopped

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Grease bottom and sides of loaf pans - set aside.  Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves in a large mixing bowl.  Beat eggs in medium mixing bowl; stir in o.j., brown sugar, and oil.  Add to the flour mixture and stir - just until combined.  Stir in berries and nuts.  Spoon 3/4  - 1 cup of mixture into each pan (more if using larger).  Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

I found these cute loaf pans at Le Gourmet (one of my favorite shops in Pigeon Forge) for $1 each and used them for the bread (2 batches for 8 pans).  Along with a few other goodies, they were the perfect gift for my MOPS ladies and Cole's MDO teachers.

Peppermint Bark:

12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 lb. white chocolate chips

1/2 tsp. peppermint extract

1/2 c. crushed peppermint candy 

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.  Line a 9x13 pan with aluminum foil (allowing it to hang over the sides).  Pour semi-sweet chocolate chips in an even layer over foil.  Place in oven for 5 minutes, remove, and spread with spatula to all sides of pan.  Place in fridge and cool until firm.  Melt white chocolate chips over a double boiler (I do mine in the microwave).  Stir in extract.  Let cool a bit so it doesn't melt the semi-sweet chocolate when you pour it on.  Pour, work quickly and spread to cover.  Sprinkle with crushed candy.  Chill until both layers are firm.  Lift foil out of pan and shake off excess candy.  Peel bark and break.  Chill in covered container.

We enjoy making this for our neighbors - tie up with a cute bag and bow and attach a tract/Christmas card.  Great gift!

Sugar Nuts:

1 lb. pecans

1 c. sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 egg white

Preheat oven to 225 degrees.  Place nuts on a cookie sheet in an even layer.  Beat egg white with 1 Tbsp. water until frothy.  Pour egg white over nuts and stir until coated.  Combine sugar, salt, and cinnamon.  Pour mixture over nuts and stir until evenly coated.  Bake for 1 hour; stirring nuts every 15 minutes.

Wassail:

64 oz. apple juice

32 oz. cranberry juice

1 orange; peeled

20-25 whole cloves

3-4 cinnamon sticks

Pour juices in slow cooker.  Stick whole cloves in orange.  Add orange and cinnamon sticks to juice.  Turn on high and simmer 4 hours.  At 4 hours, take out orange and cinnamon sticks; turn to low for serving.  (I like to garnish with orange slices).

Chocolate Peanut Butter Drop Cookies (aka Cow Patties)

1 stick margarine

1/4 c. cocoa

2 c. sugar

1/2 c. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

1/3 c. peanut butter

2 1/2 c. quick cooking oats

Mix sugar, cocoa, milk, and margarine in a large saucepan.  Heat to boil; let boil for 2 minutes (without stirring) and remove from heat.  Cool 10 minutes.  Stir in peanut butter, flavoring, and oats.  Drop by teaspoon onto wax paper.  Chill in fridge and store in an air-tight container.

These aren't necessarily a 'holiday' treat (we enjoy them all year), but we ALWAYS have a batch present at Christmas.  They don't last long!

One of our final treats for the season will be our Happy Birthday Jesus cake which we'll make on Friday or Saturday.  Happy baking!  

Who Needs Presents. . .

when you've got the packing peanuts?

(Maybe a more suitable title for this post would be "While Mommy's away, the boys will play")

Although I must give Michael props. . .all evidence of a snowy mess was hidden/cleaned upon my arrival home - he knew my OCD self would've had a nervous breakdown.  That's why I'm so thankful for a husband that can just go with the flow. . .with boys, messy fun is a MUST every now and again.

Christmas Card 2010

Along with our traditional cards, I love creating a Christmas ecard/slideshow that we can send to extended family and friends.  It's so hard to choose just a few pictures for the card we mail, and this option allows us to share some of our favorite yearly memories with those we love.  We pray you enjoy this glimpse of our 2010 blessings and pray you will seek HIM this season and into the coming year.

Merry Christmas!

Personalize your own free digital slideshow

Cookie Time!

Baking is always fun around the holidays, and there's plenty of it happening at the Johnson home.  Cole is always eager to mix, chop, roll, and measure in the kitchen which makes it all the more enjoyable.  I hope to share some favorite recipes in a future post, but here are a few fun cookie moments. . .

I invited a few MOPS friends over for a potluck lunch and cookie decorating playdate.  So much fun!

Jenny and Walker

Hayden

Cole

Jessie and Luke

As I headed out to a Girls Night/Christmas Swap one evening, Michael surprised Cole (and myself) by making Christmas cookies together - he's the BEST Daddy ever!.  The shapes looked cute before baking, but once in the oven turned to a large mass of sugar dough.  Others may have been disappointed, but not this Daddy.  He gently carved away the excess to create a snowman shape which he and Cole decorated with icing and sprinkles.  They couldn't wait to show me their masterpiece (which we all devoured) when I got home.