{ Christmas Eve }

christmas eve was lovely.

we spent the evening with mike's parents and his sister amaryah

at his parents' house.

dinner was a glorious spread of appetizers, more than five people could possibly eat:

and that's just the main course hors d'oeuvres!

{i forgot to take a photo of the dessert spread--my oh my, it was delicious!}

my personal favorites were the bacon-wrapped little smokies, the caprese skewers, and the baked brie {below}.

amaryah, you rock at making hors d'oeuvres.

you are welcome to use us as guinea pigs any time.

we all went to the christmas eve service together. it was a lovely service: lots of Scripture reading, beautiful arrangements of carols, hot drinks and cookies for everyone.

afterward we went back to the family home and everyone opened a few gifts.

here is mandy giving dan some sugar after he gave her the china she really wanted {spode fairy dell}. both amaryah and her dog, diesel, look a little disturbed at this display of affection, don't you think?

it was a beautiful, mellow, happy christmas eve.

thank you Jesus.