first Christmas

MeeMee kindly obliged when we requested celebrating our first Christmas at our house, and even brought the prime rib so we could stay for dinner, rather than traveling to her house.
We were doubly lucky in that Nana and Papa joined us, too!  They often spend this day in Colorado Springs with the large Witherspoon clan but Nana's hip kept her a little closer to home this year.

The day started with Ben realizing Santa had indeed come, despite our reassurances to the contrary, and he seemed ok with that.  WE FORGOT THE BUTTERBRAID!! so our usual breakfast tide over was missing but we all survived.  The day was missing something else in Tante and Brandon, but we knew they were having a blast in Australia.   

 

Ben took his time easing into the day.

 

meanwhile, down under

 

A little Chrissie facetime

We started with Santa gifts and stockings.....

Brandon's matching stocking didn't arrive in time, but we hung Tante's at her request and appropriately so Santa could fill it from down under.

 We moved on to a few under-the-tree gifts before breakfast.....

Ben was aptly excited for this giant box that housed his new beanbag chair,

and opened the rest of his gifts from inside.

my boys and their matching(ish) Heimer hats

We had one last gift for Ben to open before we set him free and the adults opened the rest of theirs.

 

It had been hiding in the crawl space for a couple days.

The reveal is here.

and another ride here

Soon after breakfast and gifts, this was the scene. 

 Just as Christmas Day should be. 

The day was lovely and dinner was scrumptious.  Prime rib, my Grandma Therese's au gratin potatoes, brussels with pancetta, and pear and goat cheese spinach salad were certainly a worthy meal on such an important day.  Ryan forgot the rolls and with that I think the universe might be telling us to eat less bread in 2016.  It was very fun to cook and drink with my Mom and MIL while looking down over the guys and yet another ill-timed project fixing the fireplace.  We did have lovely fire when all was said and done.  My heart is warmed each time I can comfortably entertain friends and loved ones, and if it keeps up, this house will be a home before I know it.  I hope your Christmas was filled with calm, relaxation, love, family, and a full belly.  I hope you also know the overwhelming joy of gratitude and of giving.

*I have admittedly been slacking a bit in the picture department.  I've been working on being really present in lots of moments and so pictures get forgotten.  In the new year, I'm going to work on a better balance.  Ryan is going to work on capturing a pic or two of me once in a while, as I told him this blog has once again become an ode to Ben and his dad. ;)