Family, Homemade Bread, and Play Kitchens

Christmas was absolutely wonderful this year! In the past, we have always done crazy Christmas traveling to see everyone, and by the end we were completely exhausted. This year was SO much easier! Christmas Eve at Chris's parents' house, Christmas Day at my parents' house. Relaxing, no rushing around, and wonderful!

It was so nice actually getting to spend quality time with the people we love. This year there was no arguing (that I know of, at least), and people genuinely seemed to be in good spirits, which is truly what Christmas should be.

Now for the materialistic stuff...Chris got me exactly what I wanted! Something I have been wanted for such a long time, but never actually bought because I don't really have the space for it: A BREAD MACHINE! I have owned it for about 48 hours now, and am on my 3rd loaf of bread and need to buy another bag of bread flour!

Growing up, my mom always had fresh baked bread in the house. It was always so special, and something we looked forward to. She didn't have a bread machine, however, and all of the bread was done by hand. When it was time for the bread to be punched down before the second rising, we would FIGHT over who got to punch it. The bread would be barely out of the oven and we'd about knock each other out to get the first pieces because they'd be the warmest and the butter would melt into it. Yummm. Now, I don't have the same time (cough::talent::cough), but I hope that one day Brendan, and any future kids will remember having homemade bread in the house. I know it's lame, though, and there are so many other things I'd like him to remember and appreciate, but this is just one :)

Now for Brendan's Christmas. Sometimes I'm amazed at how smart he is. Santa may have gone a SMIDGE out of control...but it was totally worth it. He LOVES his play kitchen and Cozy Coupe (the two "big" gifts), but what I'm impressed with at how well he knows how to use them! One of the food items was a hamburger, which came in three parts. He knows which parts of the bun go together!!! Yeah, Brendan! Now the car...Brendan hasn't ever seen anyone actually drive a car since he's still rear facing, but as soon as he's in the car, it's like he has seen it every day of his life! I'm totally overreacting, I'm sure, but it just amazes me to see him learn :)