Our 2011 Christmas

Our Christmas begins with the greatest decoration suggestion of all time. At least for me that is. Look closely and you will see what I mean! Who knows what the garland will look like next year but it doesnt't matter. I will worry about that later!

Every year as far back as we can all remember, we have always had finger foods for our Christmas Eve dinner (although this year we had our dinner the day before Christmas Eve). It's always a favorite! Here is Chris making Jalapeno Poppers from PW's (Pioneer Woman) cookbook. They turned out spectacular!

Here is our spread. We also made stuffed mushroom caps, bacon wrapped water chestnuts, barbequed beef tenderloin and then had our usual crackers, meat, cheeses, shrimp, vegertables and a fun drink. The last few years we have had coca cola in ornament shaped bottles.

On Christmas Eve we drove to Lee lee's house for a Ham dinner and games. This round of the game "Pounce" was for mothers and sons.

Chris lounging......that's part of Christmas isn't it? It sure is! Actually if truth be told......he had just woken up from a little snooze.

For dessert Lee Lee had made chocolate haupia pie. It never disappoints! See that fork? That's a fork from waaayyyyyyy back. Like forever! I love a good memory!

This is Christmas morning. Every year we wake the kids up and they have to wait for everyone else to be ready before we let them downstairs to see what Santa brought. This is typical Caleb. Not quite ready for the festivities but always has his duvet with him.

This is the very first gift we opened this year. It was the gift from Sean and his girlfriend Andrea. They had made 3 types of seasoned nuts and they were delicious!

Caleb opening up the gift from the Cahoon's. They gave us jars of Lee Lee's homemade Utah peaches and salsa. Talk about more delicious!

Kelly gave me this infinity scarf!

Caleb gave me this book!

Chris gave me these boots!

And here are our cinnamon rolls! This goes back even further than that fork you saw in the above picture. This tradition goes back generations. The recipe may change from year to year but Cinnamon Rolls Christmas morning doesn't! I don't dare not make them.

Since moving here to Southern Alberta we have started another tradition.  We drive down to Great Falls, Montana on Boxing Day to go shopping. We give the kids a chunk of U.S. money and they get to spend it however they want! This year sadly it was only Seth who was able to come but we managed to have a great time anyway. The reason for this not so Christmasy  picture is to show that the Coutts border actually had 3 lines open for us Canadians crossing the border. They usually only have one line open and you have to wait for a long time!!

We went to Cafe Rio for the first time and it was pretty darn good!

Seth had bought himself a nice sweater at Ross. He looks very sharp with his new hat and new glasses don't ya think?

After a day shopping we ate at this Asian Noodle Bowl place down the road from our hotel.

The next day before heading home we stopped at Sonic for lunch which like Cafe Rio we had never eaten there before either. Thier milkshakes were unbelievable. The creamiest one I have ever had!

And.....well.....after all that yummy food we had in Great Falls and all the yummy chocolate I got for Christmas this is what I will be doing for awhile.

But how can you say "no" to this right? Santa brings this box of chocolates to our family every year.


We had a great Christmas and missed only one thing. Sean. Hopefully next year will be different because it's been 4 too many years without him!