2012 Christmas

Christmas morning was such a blast...I think Brett and I were more excited than the kids. In fact, we woke up way earlier than they did. They came strolling out of their beds close to 8...what?!!! Where did these kids come from? I remember torturing my parents at like 4am and being told I couldn't get up til at least 6. Anyways, once they woke up from their sleep coma they had such a great time opening their presents. We bought them each Leappad Explorers and I must say it has been the best gift ever. I didn't really want to start down the whole video game path and since Brett and I are not gamers at all and never had them growing up we feel the same with our kids. However, I love educational stuff and since we do travel a lot I thought the Leappads would be the perfect thing...and they are! Brett also had our little mini-quad fixed (which they have never been able to ride) so that was a fun surprise. Santa brought the kids these awesome EZ Riders and the kids just love them. Overall it was a great Christmas. The best gift though was when I opened mine from Brett and the kids...a ticket to Boston!!! I was so excited I literally cried from excitement and shock. When my brother came to visit during Thanksgiving he told me he would be in Boston for Christmas visiting his friend, Kjersten, and they would be celebrating NYE in NYC! O.M.G. I was so excited for him and totally jealous:) He asked me if I would come, but I knew it would be impossible with our two trips already planned, it being so close to Christmas and what would I do with the kids? So, what was a girl to do? Dream big and apparently drop A LOT of hints. I didn't even realize it, but I guess I told Brett almost on a daily basis how much fun it would be to meet up with my brother...and NYE in NYC...hello bucket list must! So, my husband got the hint...or all 1 million of them...and got me a ticket. It was by far the best surprise I have ever received and the best gift anyone could ever give me. So needless to say we had a lot of happy people at the Flaherty Farm this year:)

Since we were all on our own for Christmas I decided to whip up a "clean" and actually "paleo" Christmas dinner. We even busted out the nice china. Our Christmas menu included apple/cinnamon/honey pork loin, bacon wrapped-pecan stuffed dates, a fall festive salad, coconut topped sweet potatoes and some paleo chocolate chip cookies and magic bars. Overall it was delish! I think I'm the only one that really liked the desserts, but everything else was a hit. It was such a nice, relaxing day and I absolutely loved that we didn't have to rush to be anywhere and we got to spend a fun-filled day together.