A McPoland's Christmas

Christmas Eve...was spent at our house decorating Christmas cookies with Grandma. This has become a tradition that the girls look forward to every year. Matt and I like it too since we give our neighbor's plates of cookies.

Yum!

My mom and Matt's parents came over for Christmas Eve. My mom brought the goodies below and Pam brought a honey baked ham....oh the food was tasty.

The table was set with flowers from our neighbor's...

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11
A Christmas Eve tradition...the girls get to open one present.


Santa REALLY came to our house...

Mia saw Santa first...

Madison wasn't so sure about Santa...but after watching her sister she saw that it was safe. Her little face is so precious...

Good job Madison...it was her first year without crying, what a big girl!

Alyssa didn't know what she wanted for Christmas...she was pleasantly surprised.

Hmmm....this face looks like she knows she's been naughty...

But Santa assured her there would be a gift under the tree for her.

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”- Isaiah 9:6

CHRISTmas Morning...

The twinkling tree, stuffed stockings, and gifts...

This picture cracks me up...because this is how the morning went...everyone doing their own thing. We tried to open gifts one at a time, but maybe next year.

Grandma helped Madison open some presents...

She was overwhelmed and didn't know what to look at first. - So cute!

Wow, Ashley got a camera...future blogger perhaps? Oh hey Ashley, can I borrow your camera?

A second Christmas - at Grannie's house

Our turn to open presents...

Finally...Grannie's turn to open her gifts.

Another English tradition is to do Christmas crackers...

An English dinner with lots of vegetables...and the filet mignon was excellent, especailly since the recipe was from the Pioneer Woman - (who Sara Parsons loves!)

We ended the evening with some dessert...cheesake with cherries, yum! What a blessing it was to spend Christmas with our families...we are truly blessed beyond measure. Thank you God that we are able to celebrate Christmas, YOU are a true gift.

Thirty two years ago...

...I was born in Kirkland, WA on December 16th at around 5:30 pm weighing in around 6 pounds 14 ounces.

Here I am at about 9 months old...I LOVED this red hat, and I still have a blanket that matches the hat. I liked red & white, Christmas colors.

And this is me today...with my youngest of 4 girls! Wow, where does the time go? This morning we were off with my mom to San Tan Village AGAIN, for some coffee and 'looking' around.

Even though she looked so precious and cute, we didn't go in, otherwise we'd never get out.

This was where I wanted to go: to the Macy's Starbucks...sitting at the computers with my coffee. (lol!) Yep, checking e-mails and updating my facebook status. We didn't end up going out to lunch because Maddy was not...cooperating. So we picked up some Chipotle burritos on the way home, yum!

For dinner we went to my mom's house for a birthday party. I wanted to try and get a good family picture, as best as I could without Maddy having a nap today.

Out of about 10 shots, this was the best one.

Time to open some presents...

Madison was really excited to help me...

Big Ben! - To remember our trip my mom and my sister took this summer to England to see family and see my cousin get married. Awww, I really love it. Thanks mom! I will always remember what a treasure that trip was.

Alyssa made me a really cool coffee mug, and a homemade card with a book mark made out of pictures, this girl is super crafty! The home made gifts are my favorite! - Thanks Alyssa!

~ I can't show you what it says inside, but it's so cute...and it made me laugh because of boot camp. Even though I don't agree with what it says, Matt is so thoughtful. Thanks honey! :)

Madison was checking to see where daddy's beard went...I think she's still looking for it.

The food -

YUM is all I have to say, and speaking of boot camp, thank goodness I do it because on special occasions I can eat food like this and be somewhat ok.

This is a double yum - Ashley and Alyssa picked it out via the help of my mom...an ice cream cake with strawberries inside...oh yeah.

Aw, to bad this one is blurry...but we can get another shot on Christmas day. It was a great day, spent with family...(and my boot camp gals this morning! :) I am amazed at all that has transpired over the past 32 years...I am truly blessed.