Our First Christmas

Ken and I celebrated our first Christmas as a married couple today. He worked. I was stuck at home due to weather. For just a minute, I got a little home sick. My parents were supposed to come and spend the afternoon with us and have dinner. I was excited b/c I had my menu all planned out too!!! The weather has been so bad and my parents weren't able to make it. It was weird to be alone all day long...but the second Ken got home it was good and it felt like Christmas!

We had opened presents from each other all week! I think we opened our first on Monday night. I gave him his "big" gift so he could play with it while he was off work. He got a remote control helicopter. And, I opened a new Carhart hoodie and boot socks!!! Tuesday night we went to my parents and stayed the night there. We celebrated Christmas with the family the next day. We had to drive back home on Wednesday night so Ken could go to work on Thursday. Which was a blessing b/c the weather was too bad to drive in. While at home, we opened presents from the family. Ken got a game feeder, target, pj's, ammo, arrow nocks, gift certificate to Bass Pro, and some pistol magazines. I got a lamp and shade for the house, a Pottery Barn knitted throw, wide-angle lens, pj's (which I have lived in for the past 2 days), ammo, an ornament, anti-bacterial soap in my favorite scent, and a shirt and jacket from Forever 21. We had a Cowboy Christmas filled with brisket, rolls, mac and cheese, cheesy potatoes, corn casserole, cheesecake, and chocolate trifle. The food and fellowship were wonderful!!!!When we got home on Wednesday, we opened another present. He got a camo rain coat and pants for hunting. I got some North Face gloves and a $50 gift certificate to get the matching coat (if I wanted it).

Christmas Eve was a complete day of sleet and snow. I relaxed at home and truthfully didn't do all that much. We were really wanting to go to our church for the Christmas Eve service, but the weather was so bad they cancelled. So, we made homemade calzones and opened the rest of our presents. Ken got a trail camera for his hunting next year. I got a nice dressy shirt and dress slacks for work.....AND, he has paid my tuition for a photography class that I get to take with my best friend, Michelle! She and I MIGHT be addicted to taking pictures....just maybe! :)

And, tonight when Ken got home he worked on a few things getting us ready for the night, and I finished dinner. We had a really nice dinner. I made everything out of my Christmas book (the book my mom put together as a wedding present. all our friends and family added traditions and recipes.). I made Fran's prime rib, Lynne's green bean bundles, Kim's dump rice, Sandie's molasses cookies, and Aunt Tricia's apple cake (I also make a glaze to go on the bread with butter, orange juice and powdered sugar. Its not out of the book, but its a recipe I got from one of my bridal showers). Everything was SOOOO wonderful! I was really surprised at how well it all turned out. Usually when I try new recipes, there is something I would change or we wouldn't like....but honestly, everything was so good!!! I shouldn't be surprised b/c we know ALOT of good cooks! This will be a tradition we carry on....making recipes from my book every Christmas Day!

This is our table....its not very fancy, but we did use our china. It was very spur of the moment, so maybe next year it will be much more festive!!!!

After dinner, we took a few pictures and then we sat in the living room and opened our stockings from each other. Santa brough Ken York peppermint patties, 3 pairs of boot socks, a $5 gift card to starbucks, and a $5 gift card to marble slab. Santa brought me a $50 gift card to Old Navy b/c he knows I want new clothes!!!! :)

These are the ATTEMPTS to get a good family photo ;)

Then it was time for the dogs to open their stocking. They share a stocking. Ruger got a stuffed Mallard...his favorite. And Lexis got a new squeaky football...her favorite. And they both got a new bone. :) They also got special meals today. They had canned food with venison, sweet potatoes, peas, and apples. They were VERY excited about meal time!!!!

And, how beautiful was the night tonight??? I mean, really? Seeing just a part of God's glory on this earth!!! Its been making me think of my grandma, Ma. This is our first Christmas without her....but I changed that mind-set to this is her first Christmas with HIM!!! What a glorious, magnificent experience....Christmas in Heaven!!!!! Oh the voices of angels!!!! I can only imagine!!! There is no place she would rather be!!!! Here are a few pictures of our glimpse of God's glory that He reveals to us...and on Christmas Day! This Christmas has really been wonderful! Not only do I get to celebrate my Savior's birth and know that I will be with Him one day....I also get to celebrate with my believing family and believing husband!!! What a blessing!!!!