Merry Christmas to All...

We definitely missed our families this year, but it was fun to create Christmas magic for the kiddos at home too.  It makes me appreciate all the work our parents did for us over the years.  I am learning a long winter's nap on the night before Christmas is only in story books.   But seeing sugar plums dance in my pretty little girl's head and James's excitement in the morning made it all worth while.  

We hope everyone is having happy and healthy holidays.  Love, the Gregorys.

A Christmas Surprise...

My dad made a quick stop between meetings in Austin and San Antonio to meet baby Rissy.  He treated us to a Sushi dinner, played several games of hide and go seek with James, and went on a morning stroll with me and the kiddos.  It was a short but sweet trip.  It mostly just wet our whistle's and made me wish my parent's house was still just a bike ride away.  Distance really does make the heart grow fonder.  Miss you far away family on this Eve of Christmas Eve.  XOXO, Jess

God Fearin' Grandmas...

Darlin', doll, sweet pea, sugar, honey bee... all pet names these two Paula Deen like ladies call my baby.  They both have become some of my best friends from church this past year.  They hail from the South and I love positively everything about them… their love of shopping, their charitable hearts, how much they adore my kiddos, the fact that they drive a Hummer, their sweet southern accents, how they wanted to sluff Sunday School as much as I did the other day:)…we are kindred spirits in so many ways.  I am grateful for their example and friendship and hope my best friend Kimme and I can be just like them someday.  Here is what they brought Rissy to wear for Christmas Sunday.  They knit the beautiful blanket to wrap her in also.  They said they had spent the day searching for a purse and black shiny shoes for her too.  Oh, I love them!

Tex-mas...

  We are trying to keep things simple this year.  Not a lot of parties, presents, or places with crowds. We are sort of holiday hermits that way.  I know it is cliche, but for me it is the little things that make Christmas mean the most...   

Eating ice-cream on a warm night in the Woodlands.

The only store we've ventured to this month has been Williams-Sonoma.  The window was a mouthwatering treat.  That place gives me motivation to put on an apron.

John's work Christmas dinner downtown is one of my favorite nights of the year.  It is so fun to get dolled up and I really like his coworkers and their spouses.  The past two times it has been held here...

The walls of the restaurant were shipped in by rich oil guys in the twenties from an old castle in France.  

How about some cookies with those sprinkles.  Our friend, Jackie threw an awesome Christmas party for our playgroup.

James ate every last sprinkle on his cookies, had a sugar high, and crashed as soon as I put him in the car. 

It finally cooled down enough to turn on our fireplace so we rearranged our furniture to take full advantage.

We had a Nutcracker night as part of our Christmas Countdown.  Nut crusted chicken was served and we did a few fire-crackers.  Then watched The Nutcracker ballet while we ate.

The look on James's face when he saw his surprise was priceless.  It was probably the result of me not cooking for a month.

My friend Jana gave me this delicious Pecan Crusted Chicken Salad recipe found here.    Recipes from friends and family are my favorite because it makes me think of them while I cook.

I know, I know, John looks like he is being tortured.  He is taking one for the team.  I did just slave over the hot stove for him:)  James almost watched the whole thing.  He was enchanted by the soldiers and Mouse King.  

 The music from this ballet brings back the holiday magic from my childhood.  My new favorite Pandora station is Nutcracker radio. 

My heart hurts so bad for all involved in Connecticut.  It has put things in perspective for me the last forty-eight hours.  All I can do is pray for the families, try to treasure my time with my little ones, and do my little part to bring peace on earth.

We hope everyone is staying warm this week.  Our friends and family are in our thoughts this season.  XOXO, Jessica