Christmas Memories

I know that Christmas 2012 is long past and this blog post is way overdue.  We did not receive the Christmas miracle we were hoping for, but we had a great time with family and friends nonetheless.  We started the week off at Kyle's parents' home.  One night we recreated a "Rustic Tuscan" meal we had enjoyed at the Rolling Pin for Kyle's family to enjoy.  We had a great time together eating good food, reminiscing on funny things my brothers did as kids, and laughing until we cried...

Roasted Pepper and Goat Cheese Crostini

The Newlyweds, Kari & Neale

Spinach, Sausage, and White Bean Soup

Kyle with Isaac & Maddie

Beef Short Ribs & Pasta with Tomato Ragu

Mom & Dad laughing at Neale

Tuscan Pine Nut Cake

Mom & Dad still laughing at Neale...

Christmas morning was spent at the Smith house opening gifts and enjoying my mom's fabulous cooking.

For the boys from Kari & Neale

Kari got Isaac this shirt since he almost won the limbo contest in the DR

Dad opening gifts-A Christmas Story is always on in the background on Christmas at the Smith house!

Perry with his Bear Blanket-too funny

Mom opening her gifts

Mom and Dad preparing Christmas dinner while Kelsey is hoping she drops the steak on the floor.

Kari & Neale with Perry

Dad and Isaac

After Christmas, we drove up to Lexington to visit Isaac's family and celebrate Christmas with them a few days late.  Isaac and Daniel picked up with their wrestling match where they'd left off at Thanksgiving...

Abby & Jonathan opening their gift from Daniel

Daniel and Uncle Isaac goofing off

Mark, Sammy, Alyse, Daniel and Jan

Isaac didn't hold on to his new iPad for long...Daniel was more than happy to help Uncle Isaac beat Angry Birds.

Aunt Leah and Uncle Owain had sent Daniel an Angry Birds balloon game, so we went on a date to fill up the balloons and for frozen yogurt. 

Daniel and Isaac at Orange Leaf

While in Lexington, we also got to visit with the birthday twins, Hudson and Kate, and their parents Mark and Traci.  We had a minor miscommunication about the day we were coming over and showed up to their house a day early, so I promised Traci I wouldn't post any pictures of her in her sweats!  But, I love that she told us to come in anyway, a true friend!

Kate had the hang of opening presents after celebrating her birthday and Christmas

We also enjoyed spending time with our college friends and kids during the UK vs. UofL game.  I was not a good historian that night and didn't take any pictures.  My BFF from high school Bethany and her son Britton came over for a visit our last night in Knoxville, and again, no pictures.  With or without pictures, it was great seeing our friends and family for the week before starting back to work in the new year.