Christmas Celebration

We have had a wonderful Christmas celebration.  The festivities started last night during our Annual Christmas Eve Candle-light service.  There is something so moving about this observance.  Sometimes it feels like we are so busy in the weeks leading up to Christmas, it is easy to forget why we even celebrate in the first place, but sitting in church, I remember deep into my soul.  The music was beautiful, the message timeless and seeing the faces of my friends and family in the glow of hundreds of candles made me eternally thankful for the babe born in a manger long ago. 

Afterwards, we came home to a casual dinner with friends.  We also enjoyed my DH's first attempt at smoking Boston Butt, and boy did he succeed!!!  It was super yummy!  I think it will become our standard Christmas Eve meal from here on out.  We spent several hours eating and laughing until it was time for everyone to scatter to their own homes and snuggle in their beds to await the arrival of Santa! 

Of course, this morning, my boys woke us and their sister up at the crack of dawn to see what surprises Santa had brought.  This year was the year of technology in our house (which I sit on the fence about, even though I love it!)  I was also the recipient of a huge surprise in the form of a new camera!!!  My sweet DH funded the recent renovations on Southern Somedays and he decided I needed a better camera as well and bought me my first DSLR.  I have a lot to learn now.  I have a great point & shoot but it is showing it's age (and my cell phone has more mega pixels) and mostly, I figure he got tired of my hinting.  I am so excited and a wee bit intimidated!