Merry Christmas, everyone!!!
Here are a few moments of our Christmas celebrations, both in Austin and back home with the whole family. A beautiful memory. I hope you have had a lovely and warm holiday. <3

Leben had his Christmas before we left Austin– plenty of toys to go around!
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A five-strand ribbon braid for Christmas morning
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This year I was the last one awake on Chritsmas eve, so I got to put out the baby Jesus!
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Continuing the teddy bear tradition in our family, Annie got a beautiful gray bear this year.
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Annie got an art easel from G-Mama and G-Papa this year!
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The aftermath of our Christmas crackers.
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I laid out Christmas crackers at each place this Christmas for our family dinner.
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We all said the blessing without Annie, and then she wanted to join. We said it again. <3
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Homemade Gluhwein
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The spread– including a beef wellington that took us four hours and four chefs to complete.
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Granny’s spread of homemade desserts. 11 kinds of cookies, 10 kinds of candy.
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This year required a flambe for the beef wellington sauce. Daddy stood nearby with the fire extinguisher.
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Annie loves Christmas cookies so much that she asks for cookies for breakfast every morning.
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The fabric scrap wreath I made for Mama. <3
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It absolutely warms my heart to see Annie sitting in my place. <3
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We sang lots of Christmas carols while Annie rang her jingle bells!
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The family’s collection of teddy bears resides on the staircase landing.
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A woven ribbon fishtail for Christmas eve.
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I set the Christmas table this year with crackers and glass ornaments.
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It wouldn’t be Christmas without cracking open the last two jars of Granny’s home-canned green beans!
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The dining room before eating commenced.
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Pictures with Santa from the three “girls.”
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This year we had a stocking adventure. Three of them got so heavy they fell off the mantle and a jar of jam smashed on the floor, sending glass over our presents.
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Seeing the Austin Trail of Lights for the first time.
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Unscented candles as a substitute fire for this girl with fragrance allergies!
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My very first real Christmas tree! My apartment in Austin was quite festive.
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I glittered some ornaments to go with my jewel-tone Christmas tree color scheme. <3
Merry Christmas to you and your family, and I hope you have a fantastic holiday no matter what you are celebrating this winter season!
“Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart…filled it, too, with melody that would last forever.” –Bess Streeter Aldrich, Song of Years