I hope this finds you all, still aglow from Christmas. 

This year was a bit different for us - We held our family Christmas on the evening of the 23rd. We're Christmas Eve people - so it was just as it would be on the 24th. After all, it is only a date on the calendar. There are no set rules, that I know of. 

It was a beautiful mild sunny day. I took a few photos just before they came, which I had said I would do, and never got around to it. 

All the lights were on - I love to dazzle my sons because they know how I have always loved to decorate - They kind of expect it of me but I am wanting to minimize it little by little instead of doing it drastically. 

This year I didn't put out half my stuff - actually seems like more than half and you know what? I survived and so did everyone else. 

Next year I will skim down the nativities. 

When looking at this photo I realize I just never put out my Christmas pillows - 

Funny, no one noticed. That should tell me something. 

I plan to start taking everything down tomorrow - I'll take it slow and methodical because as I remove stuff, I want to place the things I give away in another container. Then I will have my family, take a look to see what they want. 

Then it will go bye-bye. 

Our imitation Tree with just a few ornaments on it. This tree already has pine cones attached to it. It really doesn't need ornaments - One year after Christmas, we took everything off the tree and left it up au naturel till mid-January. 

Yes, the angel on top had a rough time of it - between the cat trying to eat the tree or climb it, and Laydee barking at the neighborhood cats that walk by the house. The tree wobbled and almost fell a few times. 

I gave each adult child, 1 nice Gift. Then we had a Secret Santa with a monetary limit and we always have fun with that! My husband and I exchange our gifts as well. Oh and let's not forget about the furbabies. We bought kitty toys for our grand cats, Harry and Ed as well as Char's fish. We of course gifted Laydee with a big ball with a rope on it, and a squeaky toy, and Susie the cat got a new collar with a bell and a toy. My pets KNOW...the night before, Laydee sat by the tree, trying to paw her gift. She was growling and whining. It was pretty funny, like some little kid. 

We enjoyed Ham and scalloped potatoes, applesauce, a seven-layer salad, chicken enchiladas, and Mexican corn cake - and for dessert, I bought just enough mini cupcakes for each of us. Everyone was already burnt out on sweets, due to potlucks at their work and parties. 

We all thought that maybe next year, we'll all go out for dinner. No clean-up! That could be our gift to all of them. 

Christmas Eve Day we attended our Church for services - came home and laid around all day. It was nice actually. Caught up on some phone calls, and just savored the evening before. 

The next Day is Christmas - that post comes tomorrow...