Before I get to Christmas, I just have to thank you all for your wonderful and encouraging words about our baby news yesterday. I never anticipated such an huge outpouring of support, but I really appreciate each and every comment and email. I had a permasmile on my face yesterday. I’m just so grateful for each of you and that I am so thankful to have gotten to know such wonderful people through this crazy little blog. There were some questions that I received and I’d like to get them all together in one post. Maybe tomorrow… or sometime soon.
And now…
I know Christmas is over. But it’s my blog and skipping Christmas photos would just be downright negligent.
In addition to all our normal (and wonderful) Christmas gatherings, this was the first year of hosting Christmas lunch at our house. It was just a small group – our parents and my brother. I think it was a very fun new tradition.
We had the traditional Christmas meal of lasagna, salad and bruschetta. (What? That’s not traditional in your house?) I also made chocolate-caramel mousse for dessert, which was quite fun and fancy, if you ask me.
And call me Olan Mills, but I made the families take pictures together.
We are quite lucky to have such wonderful families in the picture. I thoroughly enjoyed having both sets of parents over at once. It’s hard to believe that next year, we’ll have an extra Woodward in the pictures. (Yay! I love that the cat is out of the bag.)
So, all-in-all, we had a four-star Christmas.
Hope your holidays were just as merry and bright.
Did you like this post?
We'd love to send you more inspiration and encouragement for your home. When you sign up below, we'll send you our free guide to save thousands on your next home project. Because your home shouldn't own you.
Freckles Chick says
Such a cozy family Christmas! If lasagna doesn’t say traditional then I don’t know what does. (Oddly reminds me of the Will & Grace episode where Will says it feels just like the first Christmas except instead of Baby Jesus, they have a plate of cheeses.)
How come I can remember that but can’t remember my PIN number?
You look fabulous, mama!! And I LOVE those yellow (Dwell?) drapes!!
Leigh says
Lovely!
yeoldesandwichshoppeva says
Oh, and we have three cafeteria tables. One 10 footer and two 12 footers. We keep two down in the cellar for storage. My parents got them at an army surplus story when I was kid and I inherited them. Any army surplus stores in your area? Or maybe keep an eye out at the thrifts? Or ask your local school system if they have a furniture storage warehouse that you could raid/purchase from? I know my old school system had a big warehouse like that.
yeoldesandwichshoppeva says
I’m still all giddy about your baby news. I’m posting a baby booty bonanza post later this week for Sarah with recommendations regarding baby gear.
It looks as though you had a wonderful Christmas lunch with your family! And your dining room just looks so cheerful and cozy!
Stephen’s maternal family always has lasagna at Thanksgiving… and I was always confused by this. But, then I remembered that, though they are mostly Polish, they are part Italian too. It’s all good. I am firmly of the opinion that you can make up whatever menu you want for the holidays. One year, my Mom prepared a roast suckling pig instead of a turkey for Thanksgiving. We didn’t miss that turkey one little bit.
Lauren says
Yay! How did you tell your families the news??
Whit says
The last picture is the epitome of all of my memories of your brother in high school. It made me laugh out loud.
Looks like you had such a merry Christmas!
Oonafey says
The silver tree is a perfect backdrop for the family pics! Love!
oursimplelovestory says
I’m a newbie reader to your blog, so I’m a little late but, congrats on the baby news!
Sound like you had a fun Christmas!
Erin @ Domestic Adventure says
You look so good, mama-to-be! Yayyyyy!
Chelsea @ {twotwentyone} says
Great family pics! You look so cute!
Katie @ On the Banks of Squaw Creek says
I’ve been out of the loop – congrats! So excited for you guys! (And love the dining room drapes!)
-Kasey says
Mmm Lasagna. Sounds delicious!
Looks like you had a great holiday 🙂
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
Mmmm… lasagna… Now I’m hungry! 🙂 Looks like a fun and wonderful Christmas!
Mandi @ Southern Gnome says
Lasagna is our Christmas tradition, too! I make it every year and we have it Christmas night with my family. It’s just not Christmas without it.
Having family so close is going to be a great blessing with the new little Woodward on the way. I don’t know how we would manage without 2 sets of grandparents around.
Cindy @The Flipping Couple says
I love that you had both sets of parents over on Christmas! We did that for Easter last year and I loved it. I also love the family photos. We failed and got zero pictures of any Christmas festivities this year. Maybe I should add that to my 2012 goals – take pictures at family gatherings. I like it. : )
The Brick Cottage says
I just left a comment on the other post (I couldn’t click over to read it fast enough when I saw the link!) but have to leave one here, too. It is amazing how quickly time will pass by. Last year at Christmas, I was 7 weeks along and this year, I had a 4 month old! Amazing! It’s going to be such a fantasticly, awesome year for you and I don’t mind one bit if your blog becomes baby central! 🙂
Lindsay says
I missed the baby news!! Congratulations!!!
daisy says
We eat lasagna for Christmas supper too. I’m 1/2 Italian.
EEK! How did I miss that news! I guess that’ll teach me to make sure I don’t miss any of your posts!
Congrats to you and Ryan. Your baby is quite blessed to be part of such a wonderful family.
Listen to your gut-always…
Mommas really do know best.
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
I love the family pics! It’s nice that you have such good sports. 🙂 The tree is so pretty!
Kathy says
In my hubby’s family, lasagna is a much-anticipated part of his aunt’s Christmas dinner every year. Yummy!