We visited the lighted trees at the Tulalip Casino.  It was spectacular.

I had to make my grandfather’s egg nog.

We got the presents wrapped and under the tree.

I got the stockings stuffed and practically every surface decorated.

We purchased some unusual-for-us foods.

We listened to Christmas music.  The beagle was disturbed by this one.

She enjoyed destroying a stuffed elf however.

Saturday was baking day for me.  I started some pecan sticky buns.

I baked and frosted some gingerbread cookies.

I made some molded sugar cookies in farm shapes.

I baked, glued and started decorating a gingerbread house.  (A pastry chef I am not).

I made some molded jello shapes.

I had purchased some British foods.

And I made some Mary Berry’s Highland beef pies.  I altered the recipe though.  I made smaller pies.  I put in bottom crusts but forgot that I needed to bake the crusts first before filling them.  And I forgot to put in the pickled walnuts (which Tom is quite grateful for).  It was an OK dinner with Christmas pudding for me and cookies for Tom for dessert.  I had to miss our traditional family Christmas Eve dinner this year so I was trying to  compensate.

That evening I lit up all of the candles.

And we watched A Charlie Brown Christmas while opening our presents to each other and those from my mother and Al.  It was a nice relaxing evening.

Christmas morning I came home from a difficult shift at work (with no sleep in over 24 hours).  I put the finishing touches on the gingerbread house.  We got breakfast prepared.

Tom’s kids, our son-in-law, my father and the grandkids came over.  Piper immediately enjoyed one of the jello treats.

We had a nice breakfast and then gathered for presents.

Tom got the Santa hat for William to distribute them.

And he tried to grab Piper up as well.

It was a crowded living room with both dogs also present.  The weather outside was frightful, but the fire (on the TV) was so delightful.

The presents were distributed.

And the openings began.

A wrapping paper fight naturally ensued.

Piper was impressive with hoarding her wrapping paper ammo and creating a bombardment.

Jaylene seemed to enjoy her snow globe.

 

Piper and William liked their new dart board.

William seemed to like his new Calvin and Hobbes book.

Piper liked her princess dress.

Then the stockings were opened.

William’s Mickey and camping chair enjoyed some relative quiet as the family went to check out the animals and feed them some leftovers.

Unfortunately my sleep deprivation caught up with me at this point.  The family left, with Tom and Thomas heading to Tom’s brother’s house for a Christmas dinner while I slept.  They very kindly sent Tom home with a prime rib meal for me to enjoy.

I was a busy but wonderful Christmas.  I hope you had a Merry Christmas as well.