Merry Christmas!

What a beautiful Christmas the Case family has had this year! Last night I sang in the Christmas Eve service at our church in Purcellville. The service highlighted the children's choir, with a few adults backing them up with harmonies, so I was one of the backups. :) They had a nativity scene with the kids and it was adorable! It was just a beautiful candlelit service. Only Phil could come with Jeff and me to the service, though, because Kiff had to work. She was home shortly afterward, and we enjoyed pepperoni bread, potato soup, and It's a Wonderful Life... during which I fell asleep. Oh well. I sort of heard parts of it... You know how it is... :)

Then this morning, we woke up to a beautiful and gentle snowfall!! I couldn't believe it! I think that's the first time I remember having a white Christmas! So magical.
Here are the tree and presents before the onslaught...
...and the stockings too, of course...

I made French toast for the fam. Mm mmmm.
Present opening time!
Me with my gifts. Sound of Music!!! A few jewelry pieces from Kiff and Mary... shirts and a fun bag from Mary... a rice cooker from Phil... snow boots from Jeff... and lots of other smaller things... so fun!!
My big gift this year was a knee-length black classy wool winter coat from J. Crew. Love it!! I already opened it because 1) I knew I was getting it (I picked it out), and 2) I needed a nice coat to wear to the Kennedy Center where we went last weekend to see Handel's Messiah, which was amazing, of course. Kiff and Jeff and I went to see that together and had a lovely time. :)

Allie got a bone for Christmas, and here she is guarding it with ferocious growls... so funny.
Jeff's new winter hat! He and I took Allie for a walk in the Christmas snow.

When we got back, we all played a super fun game of Pictionary together. We got to the end of the first game and Kiff was having so much fun, we just kept going! So much laughter and fun.
Our 2010 Christmas family shots...


And one of the kids with Allie. Sweet. :)
Jeff and I are so grateful for such a warm time of making good memories with Phil and Kiff. We were praying that God would bless us with just that this year. They're both off with friends now, leaving Jeff and me to ourselves (which is always a treat), but what a great day we all had together. Thankful.

From our home to yours... Merry Christmas! And may the year ahead be a wonderful one for you!