Christmas Part 2

Christmas Eve we always gather with the Miller side of the family for a huge Christmas party of fun, feasting, and the most wonderful family anyone could ever ask for.  

The food was amazing as usual.  But my favorite table is always the sweets.  Here are a few of the things Mom and I had made to add to the sugary delightment.  

 My Mom's peanut butter fudge, bourbon balls, and coconut balls, all of which are to die for!

 The sugar cookies I make each year.  a. because it's fun.  b. because my dad loves them!

 Elise could eat her weight in the marshmallow pops!

We had an amazing night.  This party always makes me reflect on the many blessings God has graced us with.  It is amazing to me that he sent us his son and yet continues to bestow the blessings of things like great family too.  We were blessed to have almost everyone there this year, - one uncle and one cousin.  With everyone in good health and spirits we were really able to celebrate the holiday! 

I usually walk away from the evening feeling a rise in emotion and overwhelming gratitude for being given such an amazing family.  This year was no different, and with the blessing of little Henry on the way too I shed a few happy tears as I counted my blessings on this special Christmas Eve.  

Two of the most special people I know.  Granny and Pepaw.

My lovely parents.

Mom, my sisters, me, (and Henry)

Seeeeesters

My fabulous Godmother who hosted this years gathering and B.

Elise opening gifts!  What a sweetie!

My silly Granny trying on Katie's 4 inch red pumps!  haha!

My parents and us!  :)  Love this pic!

The boys chatting it up.

How handsome are my cousins? Seriously?

I love this pic.  We were outside in the cold trying to get a few shots of us together and look at my silly cousins in the windows.  Haha!  Getting framed with no editing!  Love it!

Christmas part 3

Christmas day was spent waking up in our own home.  Slowly enjoying the morning and all the gifts, tangible, and intangible that it brings.  Our house felt cozy and sparkled with Christmas magic  as we sat by the fire enjoying each others company and opening our gifts to one another.  Barry and Henry were all the gift I needed but I was spoiled with gifts wrapped in paper too.  

We then ate breakfast and got ready to head to Barry's parents house for a wonderful Christmas day lunch/dinner.  Not only was I born into a great family, but I married into one as well. :)

Karen had fixed a feast as usual and we all stuffed ourselves silly.  It was a great time to relax and spend time with his parents and Chris and Patience.   I filled up on my second pregnant woman plate before partaking in the fun of exchanging gifts with one another.  :)

We spent the rest of the evening relaxing and watching some old family videos of Cooper Christmases from the past.  :) This holiday season couldn't have been more complete or perfect.  Thank you God.  

 Kman was so happy chewing on his bone in the middle of gifts.  :)

 The Gang

 Don put Kman in a coma petting him late into the night.  :)

Christmas part 1

Our Christmas was very special and extremely funfilled this year.  We headed down to Somerset the day before Christmas Eve to spend time with my parents.  Mom and I did the Miller girl family tradition of baking more sweets than should ever be allowed.  Mom and Dad made a delicious meal complete with a fried turkey (the only way to do turkey in my opinion).  If you haven't tried it I suggest you do so!  

Katie, Lucas, Elise, and Noah all came over to join us for dinner and we exchanged presents together too.  We woke up the next morning to do some more cooking before heading to the big Miller Christmas Eve party in Lexington.  Dad and Barry got to shoot some basketball outside it was such a nice day.  It was a special time, at my parents, with a little baby boy on the way, celebrating the birth of our savior! 

 Elise opened up her drums, started playing and said "Let's Rock"!  Really?  So cute!

 She loved her new airplane sleeping bag!

Merry Movie Monday

The first Monday off for Christmas break is reserved for celebrating with my girlfriends.  We all gathered together for the 3rd annual Merry Movie Monday.  Girls arrive at the house around 10:30am, adorned in their comfiest clothes and come and go as they please all day long.  We pop in our favorite Christmas movies and talk, watch, and eat our way through the day, washing it all down with a merry beverage of choice.  

I made a few festive goodies for us to munch on, including these yummy brie, chocolate, basil sandwiches.  Several girls brought sweets too so we weren't lacking for food.  :)  

What a relaxing and fun way to spend our first day off.  We ended up watching The Holiday and Four Christmas'.  Our party ended earlier than usual with a much milder tone than usual.  I guess next year I need to bust out the Poinsetta drink again. :)  

L knitting while she watched, the world's longest scarf. 

Oh Snap!  LH found these shirts and we both rocked them at school.  The kids thought they were hilarious!  My gingerbread man has a little more meat on it though. :)

The Jersey Boys

Jersey wearing men usually fall into one of two categories in my opinion. 

1.     Those who are Dad’s/older guys wanting to support their favorite team or player in the most flagrant way possible.

2.     Creepy guys, whose jersey is worn with: hair hanging out of the neck line, a very large beer belly, possible mullet, cut off shorts, cigarette in hand, rainbow lensed Oakley’s, all finished off with a nice spritz of Axe cologne.

Barry has always teased about wanting a jersey and anxiously anticipating the day when he is old enough to wear one.  Every time he would make a statement about wanting one I would laugh, and think to myself I know exactly when I will get you one.

So after our first Dr. appointment confirming we would soon be parents I came home, went to the closet, and got out a box I had been saving, and gave it to Barry for his “congratulations you’re going to be a daddy” present. 

He loves the Cincinnati Reds, and his favorite player has always been Barry Larkin.  So now he has a jersey.  He’s ready to play. 

When we found out we were having a little boy we immediately went shopping for a few little guy items.  Barry found a teeny tiny Reds shirt with Votto on the back, which we of course had to get.  So the Jersey quest is complete, and he’ll have a lil’ slugger to lay on his shoulder while he enjoys this next season of life.  

Christmas in Paducah

Our Christmas celebrations began in Paducah, KY where Barry's family is from.  The two of us, Chris, and Don and Karen hopped in the van and road tripped it down to Paducah to visit Granny in the nursing home.  We had a nice visit with her and their aunt Annette but felt sad to leave her there as this will be the first Christmas she spends there. 

We then headed to Benton for his Memaw's Christmas party.  It was a great time as usual, and nice for us to catch up with everyone we only get to see once or twice a year. Their were several new additions to the family and I got lots of tips and questions answered from my talks with B's cousins.  :) 
What a great way to start off the family celebrations! 

Give me that Degree

Well Good News friends..... This week I got the results from my Praxis exam, and to my surprise I PASSED!
I was positive that I would be taking it again in March about ready to pop, but it turns out that praying during a test works! Truly happened by the grace of God!
Then last night I got the word that my quest for a Masters degree has come to an end. My final portfolio has passed. :)
So with this news Barry told me I had to open a gift early. This ornament with a sweet little personalization on the back now commemorates hard work coming to an end. What a husband!
What a Merry Christmas. Gods blessings are abundant right now and I am overwhelmed with happiness.
Now my thoughts and time can focus on the enjoyment of Christmas and the blessing of this sweet baby boy. :)
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