The Best Holiday Gifts

What brought me the most joy this Christmas was the times spent with friends and family. This year was one of the most peaceful and relaxing holidays. Christmas eve was spent with Priscilla's and Megan's family my two dear friends who are as close to me as family. As always Megan's home was warm and inviting and looked like it could have just jumped out of the Better Homes and Garden Magazine. My biggest surprise was that Brian made it back from Long Island. Having a death in the family is never easy. After the services Brian took his mom to his brother's home so she wouldn't be alone. His Mom's spirit is amazing, she wanted Brian to be with Kate and me so she sent him home so he would be with us.

One of the reasons our families have so much fun together is that the kids all get along so well. Megan and I have been friends since high school, our girls have grown up together, and I know that Kate feels like Lexy and Chelsea are like sisters to her.

Tom and Brian are great buds too! Tom's holding my gift from Megan, the Kelly Rae date book. It makes me laugh to think what Kelly Rae's version of a painting of these two men would look like

I also feel so blessed that through Megan, Priscilla and I have become so close. She has such a warm and open heart. I love this picture of Kate, Avery, and Priscilla all piled and cozy in this chair. The evening was perfect and my only wish is that I knew how to use my time on my camera so that I could have gotten a group shot.

On Christmas morning Kate woke up Brian and I, she was ready to open gifts. I really felt like I scaled back my shopping this year, but Kate told me that she was really happy and thought it was an over the top Christmas.

Buddy had fun getting gifts too.

Which of course delighted Brian. After Buddy tore apart his wrapped gift Brian had him working on helping him.

And Abby was blissed out on her cat nip and just took it all in.

The rest of the day was spent playing outside, reading by the fire, calling family members to wish them joy, and enjoying the comfort of home. These are the true blessings of the holiday. Merry Christmas!