So tonight I got to play with Ezra (my cousin Danette’s son) for the first time since July.  They are visiting his family and their old friends while here from Hawaii.  I was so excited to see him, and his parents, that I couldn’t keep still.  As soon as I finished my meal I had to sit and be with him. He is just SOOO CUTE!

While I think the present I gave him was interesting, it didn’t nearly keep him as occupied as the toys with wheels (Fisher Price your rotary pull-along telephone is classic!), the kiddie-sized shopping cart (to walk behind) or the box the present came in.  But hey, I tried! It’s hard to pick toys for little people – you just never know if it will entice them enough.

However, we did get a photo moment while he played. Once he realized he was being photographed, Ezra definitely hammed it up for me! Funny kid.  I love my hapa nephew!

 

Every Christmas Eve, Jon & I celebrate the holiday with his family for a scrumptious meal at his parents’ house.  This year, Grandma Morningstar & Grandpa Gingerich joined us for a very tasty dinner of prime rib, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad and bread.  I always make dessert, since I’m better at preparing it than I am at healthier courses.

This year, I chose to make a Tiramisu Cake, posted by Deb of Smitten Kitchen. Of course, my finished product was not nearly as delectable looking as hers, but I tried!

 My frosting wasn’t nearly thick enough, but it worked out fine.  and the special sauce which makes tiramisu so tasty did not saturate the cake layers as well as it could.  However, the cake was definitely smooth and light, and after eating such a large meal, a non-heavy dessert was perfect!

My other food contribution was a Breakfast Bread Pudding for Christmas breakfast.  For several years now, Jon & I spend the night at his parents’ house so that we can wake up there and have a special morning brunch.  This year we planned a bigger get-together since my cousin Danette and her family were intending on joining us (however her son had a bad cold and like good parents, they didn’t want him to get sicker from being out and about).  So for breakfast we had the same family members around the table, but this time with less heavy food.

Our meal included my bread pudding in two options (with mushrooms or with ham), homemade waffles, fresh fruit and customized smoothies courtesy of Jon & his Vitamix.

As always, we ate very well for Christmas Eve and Christmas breakfast. For us, Christmas isn’t about gifts and receiving things from people, we take this time to reflect upon the year and see where God has brought us and where He is leading us.  It’s a chance to spend some quality time with family.  and it’s a time to stop and appreciate all that God has done for us as a family, as a business and as His servants.

We hope you all had a joyous holiday with your loved ones!