What a great holiday it was! It starts at our house on Christmas Eve. I worked some, but it was pretty slow, so we could prep for dinner pretty easily.
Table set up:
My great grandmother’s service, which I now have.
John did his specialty – the sugared pecans.
AKA crack nuts. I love these so much.
Family arrived for dinner. Me and my mama!
We set up a side table for buffet as our ‘eating’ table is too small to have dishes on it.
We had smoked ham, crockpot ziti (so easy and really good!), sweet potatoes, smashed potatoes, salad and a selection of beverages 
After dinner we did present opening, music and a game.
John played Peanuts music and Christmas carols. I played one Christmas carol on guitar. I only learned one LOL!
We had The Cake. Grandpa’s birthday cake.
Christmas morning and John and I woke up to snow! White Christmas!
Here are some of the gifts received this year:
The beginning of the bathroom upgrade, right here! Guess what will be on the list of things to accomplish in 2013??
I love these little pins from my mom. One is Pixie and the other is Chloe (my cat I had for 18 years).
I got John this as he drinks a lot of cans of seltzer and diet soda.
He made some already and likes it!
Plus lots of other things that you will see at some point on the blog
Then it was heading down to my sister’s house for dessert and more games! Scruteneyes (hard!)
Plus Apples to Apples.
Even my dad joined that game, which is pretty rare!
We laughed *a lot*!! I so love the games.
What a great time. Food, family and fun. The 3 F’s I love 😀
Today’s ornament. Cupcake ornament number 3 in the series!
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, however you spent it!
Awww, looks like you all had a wonderful Christmas! How lovely to see…and getting snow on Christmas morning is so nice, too!
Merry Christmas, Lori! So nice to see your family Christmas. The best Christmases have someone able & willing to play real live music! Hope you stay warm & dry in the snowstorm (I think it’s moving your way–it’s almost here in Ohio!)
Looks like a great Christmas Day. I’m interested in the Crockpot Ziti – need to to see if it’s on your recipe page. If not, would love you to post that recipe. Loved the outdoor white Christmas shot.
The recipe is not on the site. I got it from here:
http://www.reynoldskitchens.com/reynoldskitchens/en/recipes/recipe_search.asp?RecipeID=1103&Step=ShowRecipe
I left out the onion and used ground pork instead of beef.
It was easy and tasty. Not low calorie, but you could certainly lighten it up.
What a wonderful day Lori! The dishes are beautiful and so special since they came from your Grandmother. I set up a buffet too, it keeps the table uncluttered and gives us more room. We also played games and my daughter brought the Apples game but we never got to it. Happy New Year!
Your table looks so elegant. And I like the low centerpieces–makes for better conversation.
You’re killing me with that cake and the crack nuts!
Beautiful china!
You and your Mom look so much alike.
What a lovely Christmas you had.
Laughter is one of the things that is always present when my family gets together – makes all your problems seem to melt away!
Merry Christmas!!
Those nuts do look like crack! I love Apples to Apples.
What a wonderful family gathering Lori!!! I love all the pics & fun had by all! I used “to think” I did not like pecans but I think I mixed them up with walnuts. I tried some in a jar of nuts from Costco – LOVE THEM!!! Keep me away from those candied ones!
I did have a pumpkin pie bagel from Panera – YUM!!!!!!
Aw, looks fun! I’m glad you had a great family gathering and wonderful Christmas.
Great pics and blog. I have been curious about the make your own soda device.Thanks for sharing…
What a wonderful Christmas you’ve had Lori. Thanks for sharing.
I love my soda stream.
I LOOOOVE the photo of you and your mom.
Love.
The 3 Fs! Love it!
Your holiday table was beautiful! So was that cake! (Seriously, I drooled a little.)
So happy you and your family enjoyed your time together!