While I worked on the morning of Christmas Eve, Connor went over to his Grandma Honey's for pizza and presents with his uncles and cousins. They spent the afternoon sharing gifts and watching the little ones play with their toys. When I got off at 3 I went straight to work making a couple finger foods to take with us over to another McCraw gathering that evening. We had a great time meeting Connor's new adopted cousin, Carys, who was born in Honduras and officially joined our family on December 8th. She is so full of joy and kept us laughing the whole night. After we filled up on sausage balls and Oreo truffles we walked next door to Connor's parent's house for our traditional gift exchange. Ever since Connor and I first started dating I've been spending Christmas Eve at his house, so we continued that this year by opening gifts a day early and watching corny Hallmark movies.
Christmas morning started at 9am with a mug of hot chocolate. It's a little tradition from my childhood that my husband helped preserve this year. First we let the cats open their new toys and treats. While Jasper & Elliot were running all over the living room, Connor and I opened up our gifts from each other. We bought most of them together on Black Friday, but there were a few surprises. This was our first Christmas morning away from our parents, but spending it together was so special. Starting new traditions with him is one of my most favorite things!
By mid-morning we were busy in the kitchen preparing for lunch in Greenpond with Connor's maternal grandparents. I had my first taste of fried turkey yum and we exchanged gifts with extended family. While my brother in law made his way to the pasture to shoot skeet, Connor and I drove to Anderson to see my parents and Grandma. We had an early dinner of hotdogs and chili, another new tradition, and opened one last round of presents. It's been an adjustment to spend the holidays in my own house instead of with my parents, but Connor and I are learning how to balance family and friends, as well as splitting time between both of our parents.
Browned Butter Sweet Potato Casserole - a traditional sweet potato filling with a crunchy pecan topping & marshmallow topping
Blackberry Cobbler - a 1:1 ratio of butter, milk, flour, sugar and topped with fresh blackberries