{"id":26630,"date":"2012-12-31T17:58:11","date_gmt":"2012-12-31T23:58:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/?p=26630"},"modified":"2012-12-31T17:58:13","modified_gmt":"2012-12-31T23:58:13","slug":"christmas-day-celebration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/2012\/12\/31\/christmas-day-celebration\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Day Celebration"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2335.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" style=\"background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px\" title=\"IMG_2335\" border=\"0\" alt=\"IMG_2335\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2335_thumb.jpg\" width=\"403\" height=\"589\" \/><\/a>&#160;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2271.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" style=\"background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px\" title=\"IMG_2271\" border=\"0\" alt=\"IMG_2271\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2271_thumb.jpg\" width=\"435\" height=\"590\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2250.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" style=\"background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px\" title=\"IMG_2250\" border=\"0\" alt=\"IMG_2250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2250_thumb.jpg\" width=\"880\" height=\"594\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We were so excited when all of the grandparents arrived for Christmas lunch!&#160; Both sets of grandparents gave Noelle fashion books and design kits.&#160; They know her so well!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2258.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" style=\"background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px\" title=\"IMG_2258\" border=\"0\" alt=\"IMG_2258\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2258_thumb.jpg\" width=\"880\" height=\"550\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>So here\u2019s the part where I HAVE to brag on my husband.&#160; Whenever Mike cooks, the entire house fills with the most amazing aromas, and we know we\u2019re in for a treat!&#160; Today, for the first time ever, he attempted Beef Wellington, and are you kidding me?&#160; It was the most amazing dish I have ever tasted in my life.&#160; Each bite had a million flavors, and it was the first time I ever consciously slowed down to enjoy each bite a little longer.&#160; I know that sounds crazy, but it was that crazy good.&#160; Food is a big part of our spiritual act of worship and is something we have embraced at our church, sharing meals together.&#160; It\u2019s important how we fill our bodies, and we do it every day.&#160; It\u2019s a huge part of our lives, and when I post pictures of food, I\u2019m posting pictures of what I want to remember\u2026 our senses help us remember our days\u2026 and I don\u2019t ever want to forget a thing about our celebrating!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2286.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" style=\"background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px\" title=\"IMG_2286\" border=\"0\" alt=\"IMG_2286\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2286_thumb.jpg\" width=\"429\" height=\"651\" \/><\/a>&#160;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2289.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" style=\"background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px\" title=\"IMG_2289\" border=\"0\" alt=\"IMG_2289\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2289_thumb.jpg\" width=\"434\" height=\"651\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2263.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" style=\"background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px\" title=\"IMG_2263\" border=\"0\" alt=\"IMG_2263\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2263_thumb.jpg\" width=\"880\" height=\"572\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Noelle made place cards for all of us for lunch.&#160; She used everyone\u2019s official names.&#160; It was very sentimental for me because they were my Granny\u2019s place cards that she never got the chance to use.&#160; I found them in a stack of stuff to be donated and had a special feeling they would be important someday.&#160; That was before Noelle was even born.&#160; The holidays are a sad time for many because our loved ones we\u2019ve shared Christmases in the past and made Christmas memories with are no longer with us.&#160; If you can imagine the pain my girls will feel when their grandmothers are gone, that\u2019s the pain I feel for my Granny, and the pain I know many of you share with me for your loved ones.&#160; It\u2019s bittersweet, because we are so thankful to God for those from our past and at the same time, are grateful to have the opportunity to share Christmases with a new generation.&#160; It\u2019s just a place card, but it\u2019s so much more than that, because I will ALWAYS have a place in my heart for my grandmothers!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2297.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" style=\"background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px\" title=\"IMG_2297\" border=\"0\" alt=\"IMG_2297\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2297_thumb.jpg\" width=\"880\" height=\"576\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Back to the food\u2026 here\u2019s a close up of the Beef Wellington (Mike stayed up way late Christmas Eve night cooking while I was working on gifts; it was fun team work getting it all done)\u2026 Everyone contributed to the meal, and we were so grateful.&#160; Kay Kay and Grand Papa brought the green bean casserole, desserts and champagne.&#160; Poppa and Rara brought the fruit salad, dinner rolls and wine.&#160; Thanks everyone!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2301.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" style=\"background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px\" title=\"IMG_2301\" border=\"0\" alt=\"IMG_2301\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2301_thumb.jpg\" width=\"880\" height=\"583\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The only thing I regret about this picture, that I know I\u2019ll look back and laugh about later, is that we didn\u2019t use our china.&#160; We have 12 place settings of really pretty china that we\u2019ve never even unwrapped from our wedding almost 10 years ago\u2026 the story is we were too tired to unwrap them this year, even though we finally have a house to host in\u2026 something to look forward to for next year! <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2314.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" style=\"background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px\" title=\"IMG_2314\" border=\"0\" alt=\"IMG_2314\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2314_thumb.jpg\" width=\"442\" height=\"670\" \/><\/a>&#160;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2317.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" style=\"background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px\" title=\"IMG_2317\" border=\"0\" alt=\"IMG_2317\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2317_thumb.jpg\" width=\"428\" height=\"670\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kay Kay and Grand Papa gave Anna Kate her red boots to complete her outfit and a pocket Jessie to put in her purse!&#160; These pictures seriously melt my heart.&#160; I\u2019ll treasure this memory always!&#160; I\u2019ve been wondering what she\u2019d look like all dressed up like Jessie for months\u2026 she\u2019s so so cute and sweet!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2329.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" style=\"background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px\" title=\"IMG_2329\" border=\"0\" alt=\"IMG_2329\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2329_thumb.jpg\" width=\"880\" height=\"532\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I think this is why we didn\u2019t have the energy to unwrap the china, but I\u2019m not sure\u2026 she should be happy\u2026 she has on sissy\u2019s shoes!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2333.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" style=\"background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px\" title=\"IMG_2333\" border=\"0\" alt=\"IMG_2333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2333_thumb.jpg\" width=\"880\" height=\"565\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Okay, in all fairness, it was getting close to nap time, but this present from Rose\u2019s Pond grandparents got her out of her tantrum.&#160; She\u2019s one sweet little baby who we know is \u201cjust teething.\u201d&#160; That\u2019s what we say anyway\u2026 no seriously though, she had a little fever and runny nose, I think that\u2019s been her problem\u2026 for the past month or so!&#160; I keep going back and forth,&#160; teething or terrible \u201c2\u2019s\u201d we love her with all of our hearts and couldn\u2019t live without her, no matter what!&#160; I mean, look at those eyes!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2330.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" style=\"background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px\" title=\"IMG_2330\" border=\"0\" alt=\"IMG_2330\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2330_thumb.jpg\" width=\"436\" height=\"653\" \/><\/a>&#160;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2346.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" style=\"background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px\" title=\"IMG_2346\" border=\"0\" alt=\"IMG_2346\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/IMG_2346_thumb.jpg\" width=\"436\" height=\"654\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Noelle loved her design kit from Kay Kay and Grand Papa.&#160; They also made a cute little coupon with money to buy her first grade year book, which she\u2019s been begging for.&#160; So sweet!&#160; N was the only one to go out and brave the snow as it surprised us on Christmas day.&#160; It felt like 70 the day before and after, but on the 25th, we had a white Christmas!&#160; So magical!&#160; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#160; We were so excited when all of the grandparents arrived for Christmas lunch!&#160; Both sets of grandparents gave Noelle fashion books and design kits.&#160; They know her so well! So here\u2019s the part where I HAVE to brag on my husband.&#160; Whenever Mike cooks, the entire house fills with the most amazing aromas, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26630"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26630"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26630\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26631,"href":"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26630\/revisions\/26631"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26630"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26630"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pondfam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}