Our Christmas in a photo nutshell...

I really didn't intend to take such a long blogging hiatus, but when you are 36 weeks pregnant some other things take precedent I suppose! Before a whole month goes by, let me share my 2013 Christmas pictures with y'all.

Our tradition holds strong - Christmas Eve we went to Mass at St. Joseph's then to my Mom's house for clam chowder and present opening. Since Les didn't come in until Jan. 13th and this was Lauren and David's year in New Roads, I got a clear idea of what Christmas would be like as an only child! Weird!

{baby girl got Christmas presents too! Those little pink booties made me cry they are so sweet.}

{Mr. T got his own stocking this year! *to be monogrammed}

We ended the night watching The Grinch. The next morning Tison and I exchanged gifts from each other at our house. Our first Christmas as a married couple and in our new home :) So special. Can't wait to use that video camera on baby girl!

 On Christmas Day we went to the Tison's house for lunch and they were so kind to invite my parents to lunch as well. 

I can't believe next Christmas will be shared with our little girl!!!! I am just so thankful this is all happening.

The next weekend when Lauren, David, and the boys had returned from down south - we celebrated Christmas with them and the grandparents and Mr. Sandi!

Now that Leslie and Cuan are in town, I am sure we will do another Christmas celebration with them and I'm not complaining! Who really wants the Christmas season to end? Not me!

my favorite moments of christmas eve/day 2012...

{famous turtle soup at the Harpers}

...only a month later!

it takes a village...

About a month ago, I was contacted by a friend of mine about writing something on our family's Christmas traditions for SB magazine. I was honored that she thought to ask me! As Tison and I continue to make our own little family traditions, I am completely fascinated with what other families do year after year. I would love to hear what your Christmas traditions entail.  Come on, spill it :)...

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

And as Tiny Tim says, "God bless us, everyone!"

mistletoe and mustaches...

Our family's Annual Holiday Gathering was this weekend. I tend to forget from year to year just how much effort it takes to put this thing on. I mean, it is worth it, but prepping food for large numbers is certainly a gesture of love. Mom, Leslie and I turned the kitchen into an assembly line of cooks - stayed up to the wee hours of the morning prepping on Friday night and Mom spending most of Saturday getting everything oven ready.  Mom- I seriously don't know how you used to do this alone!!! You amaze me everyday.

I'd like to say thank you to Tison for helping out in the kitchen during the party on Saturday. When the doorbell started ringing with guests arriving, hardly anything was on the table! Thank God for Mom's double ovens- things were on every rack! To our surprise we opened the oven to smoke billowing out causing the kitchen to smell like burnt plastic, and in the process I got grease on my new holiday frock! I was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed to say the least. And I look over at him, all calm and collected, (he used to work in the food industry and I assume is used to this time crunch frenzy.) I'm amazing at the yin and yang of our relationship. I am so thankful that when I am frenzied, he is calm and visa versa.

With all the commotion setting out the finger food and drink options for our guests, I forgot to snap photos of the table arrangements. Can you believe it!? ME- forgetting to take pictures. I swear... here are a few towards the end of the party :)

{Leslie, Mom, Lauren, Me, and Rosie!}

Tison and I left Mom and Dad's house for our next stop, the Mistletoe and Mustache Mixer! - Leaving Lauren and Mom with all the dishes - OOPS!

{Some people came with their mustaches attached (Russell), while others had to hold theirs on with a stick! The girls had the house looking so festive. There was even karaoke -haha!}

 I hope your weekend of Christmas parties was joy filled!

Recap of Christmas 2011...

Have you been wishing that it was still the very merry Christmas time again? Let's recap this year's activities with the Hudsons and Tisons...

Christmas Eve:
After Leslie and I fiddled with the violin at Christmas Eve Mass, we went to my parents house to greet my Aunt and Uncle, in from Texas, and my grandparents. Lauren, David, and Hudson were in New Roads, LA this year for the holidays. They alternate each year with David's family. Soon after attacking the hors d'oeuvres, we exchanged gifts.

Christmas Day:
Christmas morning was met with a bountiful breakfast! The Tisons served up New Orleans style french toast, pancakes, bacon and sausage. We opening gifts from each other and chatted about what Ali and Justin were like as little kiddos. For as long as Ty and I have been dating, this year marks the first that our parents got together for Christmas. Mr. and Mrs. T were invited to my parents house for lunch where we overloaded ourselves yet again with an amazing display of delicacies.

Pretend Christmas:
Since Lauren, David, and Hudson were out of town on the real Christmas, we celebrated the holy day again when they returned. Cuan (Leslie's gentleman from Zimbabwe) was also in Shreveport, so what did we do? Eat, of course! Mom made seafood gumbo and banana pudding for everyone, then we watched the others open their pressies.

Ah, I love the holidays. See the Hudson family Christmas from 2010 here :)