Did everyone survive Christmas? Is anyone else feeling the post-Christmas blues at all? I am a little bit. I am definitely going to keep the Christmas decorations up for a little while to help myself wean off of the holiday high.
Christmas was a blast. The majority of the celebrating started on Christmas eve morning.
Dana and I volunteer every year at the Children’s Hospital where we help wrap presents that have been donated to the children who have to be in the hospital at Christmastime.
I am always amazed at the amount of gifts that are donated. Each child gets 5-8 gifts and the bags with their gifts are all labeled so that we know the first name of the child and the age. It breaks my heart to think of anyone having to spend Christmas in the hospital, and I hope receiving some holiday cheer helps to lift their spirits.
This is about one-quarter of the amount of gifts that were wrapped.
Once we were done being elves, we dashed home to get ready for Christmas Eve with Dana’s family. I threw together a fruit salad (recipe from Katie!), made myself some lunch, changed into my Christmas outfit, and headed out the door.
We spent the afternoon and evening munching on delicious appetizers, sipping wine, opening gifts, and eating a nice Christmas eve dinner.
Beef tenderloin, asparagus, horseradish mashed potatoes, and my fruit salad…
Later in the evening Dana and I met my family at church for 10:00 pm mass. They played my favorite song and mass was beautiful.
Christmas Day
On Christmas morning, we made our way to my mom and dad’s. Awaiting our arrival was this glorious loaf of monkey bread. I was amazed to learn that not everyone knows what monkey bread is. You have to try this stuff! It is caramelly and cinnamony and so darn good!
We all hung out, watched A Christmas Story, and waited for everyone else to arrive.
Once the crew was there, we sat down to dinner.
Ham, cheesy potatoes (!!!), asparagus, and strawberry spinach salad…So good!
I filled my tummy to the perfect amount of satisfied, and then we all dove into the Christmas gifts. That was quite the lengthy ordeal! We must have been very good this year because there were LOTS of presents!
After gifts we opened up our stockings and then reeeelaaxxeed. A major theme of these two days.
Eventually, it was time for dessert: Christmas cookies and ice cream, but not just any ice cream, Edy’s slow churned caramel delight ice cream. Oh my goodness, so good 
We finished watching A Christmas Story, watched a home video, and then headed for home. It was such an incredible Christmas as always—we really missed Jeff and Ana though. Muchos xoxo’s to you!
I am so lucky to have such amazing families! I love you all.
So tell me about YOUR Christmas! What was your favorite treat? Your favorite gift? Most memorable moment?
Love the volunteering tradition. I’d love to do that!!!!!
Jackie recently posted…{tasty} stuffed peppers
It is so much fun and so rewarding!
You and Dana are amazing! I love that you volunteer each year 🙂 We had monkey bread too – even Mitchell had some. My mom left the remaining half of the monkey bread on our kitchen table and Mitchell thought that meant it was for him… I think he swallowed it whole!
Becky @ Olives n Wine recently posted…Oysters, A Pool Table, Eataly and PRESENTS – A Christmas Break Recap!
I am thinking I need to make a gluten-free version of it and have it more than once a year. Lucky Mitchell! Moose got into a pb bar on Christmas when we were gone. Naughty, naughty.
I am glad that you had such a great Christmas!!
Also, random, but I have never seen somebody put green onions on a relish tray…sounds totally delicious though! I’ll have to keep that in mine for the future ;).
Hannah @ cleaneatingveggiegirl recently posted…The BEST Chocolate Pie Ever…No, Seriously!
I had never seen it either until I met Dana. His family loves it but I usually steer clear.
Scott’s mom made monkey bread this weekend– I haven’t had it in years!
Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate recently posted…A Box Full of Tiffany Jewelry
It is so darn delicious!
Love this post! What a fun and wonderful ting to do each Christmas – I didn’t even know that they did that at the Children’s hopsital. Love it! And I hope you liked the fruit salad. 😉
Katie @ running4cupcakes recently posted…Weekend Update: 12/29/13
I loved it and so did everyone else!