Christmas Eve in Florida

80 degrees and sunny

so of course we all went to the beach

and had a picnic

grandpa and I made the fruit salad tree

I saw a picture on the internet

ours did not turn out quite like the picture....still

 it was a hit with the eating crowd

they did not take long to defoliate it

(our star was a little too big - you think)

E made egg-rolls - they were so good

that only 2 were left by the time I could get a photo

but thankfully there was a whole other layer

after lunch - kayaking

(always remember to sit down in the boat)

A and E coming back in

all the girls - E and L in the double 

Em in the single

E and L heading out

 landlubbers

the sun was making a wonderful sparkle on the water

by the last ride of the day

everyone was in a hurry for 

presents

the kids opened their presents from us on Christmas Eve

some took it very seriously

others took a more rapid and direct approach

he got the Santa thing this year

when we would see him he would make sure we knew that -

Santa was coming

the room filed with the obligatory paper

she was still not too sure about all this

 until

 she opened the hello kitty doll

 then it was love at first sight

I get the present thing now yaya....

NEXT MORNING

 Santa came early to the kids house

I was not there for that - just the aftermath

they were waiting anxiously for this to charge

(how did he get that down the chimney?)

we did make it in time for another great family meal though

Christmas Brunch

my daughter is an awesome cook - she made

crepes with 3 kinds of fresh fruit sauce

 a savory crepe sauce

bacon, scrambled eggs and fried potatoes

whipped cream and coconut oil whipped cream

we were one happy and well fed Christmas family

and we wish you and yours - Happy Everything!

xxoo