Holiday Fluff

 This holiday week we went with part of my family and part of Steven's family to visit Branson.  We rented a gorgeous 5 bed/4 bath home right in the Branson hills and 1/4 mile from Table Rock Lake.  It was so pretty there.  It made us all want to come back in the summer to visit the lake and to swim in the beach entry pool that was directly across from the home.  

This whole week was a wonderful time to connect with family, to eat pretty much around the clock, to walk outside and explore the hills around this neighborhood (did I mention the first two days there it was 60 degrees)?  We were outside sitting on the covered back patio playing dominoes on Dec 26th!  We didn't even have to grab blankets or jackets for a good 45 min.  Then, the storm blew in, with cold winds and we moved in for the night. The rest of our time in Branson was spent in pouring/freezing rain.  Oh well, at least half our trip was gorgeous weather!

It was so great to spend some good quality time together as an extended family. God has blessed us beyond measure that not only do we get along with our in laws but they get along with each other as well.  Steven and I have been together since the age of 18 so needless to say our parents have known each other for quite awhile too! 

We celebrated Christmas Eve with a fajita dinner (made by us), Christmas Day was Italian food with garlic bread, bruschetta, spaghetti, and a squash casserole (my parents were in charge of this day).  Each morning we were awoken by the great aroma's of bacon, eggs, casseroles, sausage, pancakes, or breakfast burrito's (Steven's parents did all the early morning cooking).  I brought a Happy Birthday Jesus cake that was so yummy, I believe I ate on it every day while there.  Needless to say, I feel like I or someone was in the kitchen almost around the clock this holiday season.  

Hope everyone had a wonderful time with their friends and family.  Thank you God for the birth of your Son!

Now...time to hit the gym!!!