The dust is starting to settle . . .

The last six days have been such fun with the Mid-Western part of the family joining us for Christmas. They arrived the day before Christmas Eve and left just this morning. Our daughter and son-in-law and two grandsons were guests at Simply Country Farm. When they left their home to come to California for Christmas, the temperatures were in the teens. So being able to play outside with their cousins was nothing but fun. And the adults had a great time, too, just hangin' out. We played lots of games i.e. Mexican Train, Apples to Apples, Blink . . . all of which were played by young and old alike! We had so much fun and you could have heard laughter all day long.

Of course when you have guests, they have to be fed. Since we all love to cook we decided to divide the responsibility of preparing dinners between the three families. That was the best decision ever, because it was stress-free knowing that one person didn't have to be responsible for all the cooking.

After six days of great fun, food, and fellowship, we gathered for a family picture.

The first day I made our traditional favorite Christmas cookie, Lemon Dream Bars. The second day SSR taught KL how to make Scotcheroos. If you haven't made them, you might want to try them. They're easy to make and easier to eat!

One reason they are great is that they are a no-bake cookie.

Topped with a mixture of chocolate and butterscotch . . . hmmm, could be why they are called "Scotcheroos!"

Once the batch is cooled, it is ready to cut into bars. Let me tell you, they didn't last long with our crowd.

KL and her "Auntie S" had a good time playing together.

While the guys watched a football game or two, the girls had fun playing Mexican Train, sipping a cup of tea, and catching up with each other!

Here is the start of Christmas Eve dinner.

The bacon-wrapped filets are browned in a very hot cast iron skillet . . .

... then placed in a 500° oven until done to perfection. Served with mashed potatoes, and string beans . . . yummo!

A tradition that was started nearly ten years ago— the kids open one gift on Christmas Eve. And that present is the one that we bring, which has always been new pajamas. It's pretty cute that they still seem excited knowing they are going to get a new pair of jammies. I've made many of them in the past but this year I was too busy making quilts. Here they are waiting with anticipation to tear into the wrapping.

Two minutes after the previous picture was taken the boys are opening their pajamas (gray fleece with white penguin print). . . KL's pajamas are always different from the boys, this year fuschia with white polka dots. The boys immediately decided they were all members of the Penguin Army!

Posing for their annual PJ picture, before going to bed, soon dreaming of dancing sugarplums being attacked by the penguin army!

Fast forward . . . here they are, lined up Christmas morning at 5:45 a.m., with the youngest in front to the oldest in back . . . as I did with my four siblings many years ago.

A big "thank you" to Jen and PD for hosting the entire family for Christmas 2009. You are very generous, gracious, and loving hosts.

Another "thank you" to the Mid-Westerners for coming out to celebrate Christmas with us. We know it costs an arm and a leg, but we love it that you spend your hard-earned cash, when you can, to be with the family.

Life is good!