Can't Resist

The benefit of having a 3+ year old on Christmas morning is that you really don't have to expend any energy opening presents... he does it all for you! And while you might think that takes all the fun out of it, in reality, watching him "help" everyone in sheer delight is more fun than opening the presents themselves and really embodied the true spirit of Christmas for my family.

Later on in the day, once all the excitement had died down, we found Charlie and Caroline still in their adorable matching PJs, provided by their Nana, sitting together (kind of!) and of course the paparazzi took the opportunity for a photo shoot.

Even though she's starting to teethe, our sweet Caroline was just that, sweet. She is such an agreeable baby in every way - and while I'm not one to dabble in soothsaying, I'll go ahead and say that she adores her brother.

After our delicious beef tenderloin Christmas dinner, we had some fun with what might become a family tradition... only time will tell. Courtesy of my co-worker, a Saratoga native, our family all took turns breaking a Peppermint Pig and tasting a piece of homemade peppermint candy in the hopes of prosperity for the coming year. Thanks to Darcy for a fun treat and toy!

And of course, it wouldn't be our family's Christmas night without way too many desserts. This year in addition to my mom and my Christmas cookies, Robyn contributed a harvester birthday cake for Jesus - the specs of which were requested by none-other-than farmer Charlie himself. Jacob and Robyn made each little tomato, bunch of lettuce and corn!! The only issue?? Whether or not the John Deere harvester on the cake would make it past Christmas morning (there was a little boy eager to get his hands on it).

In the end, my (very un)scientific poll ranked this Christmas as one of the tops I can remember. Call me a sap but I just can't get enough time with my family - especially now with the little ones.

Really, who can resist this cutie pie?

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night!!