Happy New Year! 2012. (Just typing that makes me feel old.)

We're still working on that posing gene., originally uploaded by MrsBinParis.

We spent our first Christmas in our new house, and it was wonderful. Really. Really, really. Really.

Christmas, on our terms. No rushing, no driving, no icy roads. Money spent on postage instead of plane tickets, and phone calls instead of in-person hugs, but wonderful memories were made, just by us. These were the kind of Christmases my mom gave us, and I am so thankful for all of those memories. It does make me happy to give the same gift to our little girls, and in turn, they give me more than they could ever know.

We started off with a photo shoot in our Christmas duds (definitely a family tradition), followed by a smorgasbord dinner of charcuterie (sausages and other meats), fromages (cheeses), crackers, bread, dips, fruit and crudités (raw veggies). Then we headed to church for a Christmas Eve candlelight service. My favorite part of the evening was trailing all the children as they processed through the sanctuary during the first hymn, ringing bells and giggling. (I followed to make sure we didn't lose Anya, but another little girl gently took her by the hand and walked with her the whole time.)

When we arrived home, it was present opening time, and the girls had a blast discovering all the new toys under the tree. After putting them to bed, Dr. B and I spent time cuddling up under our new fur throw and watching mysteries. Perfect.

Christmas morning, it turned out, Santa had showed up, so roller skates were strapped on and shopping carts were revved up as our house became a racetrack. We relaxed for a while, eating monkey bread and egg casserole, and then began to get out the china and crystal for dinner. I made ham, Martha Stewart's potato/leek galette (that was such a hit at Easter), and some other yummy things (including fresh lefse that we rolled before dinner), and we welcomed our friends from just down the hill. We had a wonderful time together, and I was so happy, I didn't even mind leaving the dishes until the next day. (That is normally a no go, so I must have been really relaxed!)

The break from school has been wonderful--just having nowhere we have to be at any certain time has been fantastic. The kids play, we stay in our jammies until we feel like showering, and most meals are just a collection of leftovers--it's a great way to live. We did manage to get our dining room painted, and we both absolutely love the rich plum color. Amazing how inspiring color can be in your home!

For New Year's Eve, we kept it low key, and just walked down the hill to our friends' for a drink. We shared Foie Gras with them that Aimee had brought us, and toasted the New Year.

2011 was full of changes for us, some possibilities that did not pan out, and some that did. No matter, though, because I am proud of how we handled ourselves, and I'm looking forward to another great year. Every day, I am more thankful than the last. To be blessed with a wonderful, healthy family, good friends, and a life I chose--I couldn't ask for more.

May your 2012 be full of belly laughs and bright ideas.

Much love from the Brownsons!