Christmas Day- Part 2

Alright, when I left you yesterday, it was mid-afternoon and we were gearing up to head on our annual Christmas hike. Now, I realize these posts are full of sap and cheese and all sorts of yummy goodness for me- and I'd love to be that blogger full of wit and humor and freshness, but unfortunately I am full sap, and  a huge ball of cheese, so settle in:)

Aussie and I were so excited as we had prepared our surprise down in the bottom field. A rustically decorated Christmas tree complete with lights, and shiny strands of tinsel. Together, we had contrived a beautiful fire ring, which my gal had decorated with gathered buckeyes to look like a christmas wreath. 

The lot of us took off down the path and thru the woods with a backpack stocked full of christmas books and a thermos brimming with our favorite hot cocoa. When we rounded the final bend and the boys got glimpse of our deeds, they were flabbergasted, totally bowled over. It was hilarious! They were just sure some kind of Christmas wizardry had happened upon us. 

They were doubly excited as they had gotten matches in their stockings so they were finally getting a chance to test out their   honed survival skills. After we warmed ourselves by the fire and shared in some festivities, we decided to head back as the wilds were anxious to get home and play with their new gear.

This was kind of our little Eleanor's first christmas. She was just a wee babe last year and really only participated by letting us snuggle her thru the day. This year though, she was involved. She was into it and I couldn't stop thinking about what a beautiful addition she is to our family. Each of us is so completely enamored with her, and she is such a force. Fiesty, and funny, she pulls us together in the loveliest of ways.

When darkness settled in, we were forced away from our goods and headed inside to finally open another gift and start on the feast. I'm not sure anyone's tummy was feeling particularly well, because hardly anyone ate anything all day, but it sure all looked good and everything turned out so yummy. The yule log in particular was beautiful and such a fun tradition. They also loved the pumpkin rolls- on each little note, tucked away inside was something to do- sing a holiday jingle, give hugs all around, kiss the cook- it was a hit, even if they just tugged out the notes and left the bread.

We finished the evening, snuggled up in holiday jammies, everyone completely tuckered and briefly quiet for a momentous change. White Christmas was playing and we let the cooling sounds of Bing Crosby lull us away- it was total perfection.