Finn and I hopped on an 8 a.m. flight this morning that put us in Florida by 9 a.m. (There is a one hour time change so that helps a lot when traveling here.) Meeting my parents at the airport has taken on a new level of special since I now have Finn in tow and they are always so excited to see him and how he’s grown and changed.
It was so nice to get here early and have the whole day ahead of us. We mostly just hung out and caught up but Finn and I did sneak out for a long beach walk this afternoon. I carried Finn in the Ergo and he was asleep within five minutes and slept for the entire walk.
This time of year is such a stark contrast to the summer when the beach is packed and buzzing with energy. I find the off season to be very peaceful and serene. While we walked I started on a second listen of Adyashanti’s Falling Into Grace. The teachings are deep but impactful and thought-provoking. I listened to Falling Into Grace for the first time this summer/early fall but knew I needed another listen for it to really sink in. I found myself walking, nodding along and pausing to add bookmarks and notes on my Audible app.
We did our family Christmas celebration this evening. My grandmother ordered a personalized stocking for Finn and then liked it so much that she decided that all of us needed an upgrade from our old school red fuzzy stockings with our names written in glitter pen. We are fancy now. 😉
We kicked off our festivities with a family dinner. My dad always cooks prime rib and popovers. It was fun to have Finn with us at the table this year!
My dad’s prime rib. WOW!
Homemade popovers. Must try to make these myself ASAP. My dad says the key is a popover pan.
All together! We also had twice baked potatoes and believe it or not…they have cabbage in them along with bacon and cheddar. Here’s the recipe if you’re interested. You can’t really taste the cabbage but these things are very tasty!
We exchanged presents and of course Finn was the star of the show. My parents and grandmother got him toys to leave in Florida so that he and the other great grandchildren/second cousins have things to play with when they visit.
I’m not sure if I shared this but my two cousins on my dad’s side both had little boys this year too. It’s cool that all three of us had babies in the same year, and that they are all boys. I’m excited for them all to grow up together.
Oh…and it’s a Christmas miracle…Finn is officially CRAWLING! Let the games begin!
It’s so much fun to see my parents doing what grandparents do best… 🙂
My dad bakes 14 layer chocolate cakes but he hasn’t made one in years. He and my mom tag teamed baking one on Christmas Day and surprised me with it.
We all had a slice after opening presents. I wish you guys could dip a fork through the screen and take a bite. It is sinful. I think I should learn how to make this so that I can share the recipe with you guys. Would any of you want to tackle this with me!?
So happy to be here for this holiday visit. I’m crossing my fingers and toes that my nieces can join us for a few days. We are trying to make it happen. I miss those girls so much.
Heading off to bed where I’ll dream about having another slice of that cake tomorrow.
Looks like such a wonderful first Christmas for Finn! I just have to share about the stockings . . . my sisters and I all have beautiful cross stich stockings that my mom made for all of our first Christmases. When my sister and I got married, our husbands got the old school fuzzy stocking with glitter pen writing. When my sister and I started having kids, my mom bought them beautiful stockings like you and Finn’s, with their names sewn in. While my mom was at it, she upgraded the family dog to a similar fancy stocking with the name sewn in, but did not upgrade the husband’s stockings. So yes, the family dog has a gorgeous stocking with an embroidered name, whereas my husband and brother and law have an old, fuzzy, threadbare stocking with their names in peeling glitter pen! I laughed for days about that!
Yes Jen, please share the layer cake recipe! It looks like something my family would love & I’d love to try making!
Hi Jen! I’d also love to work on the 14-layer cake recipe. Thank you so much for always sharing recipes with us 🙂
Happy holidays to you and your family!! How exciting to see Finn crawling now, he’ll be scooting then walking in no time. And that cake looks dangerously good!! Oh my
What joyful pictures! I’d love the cake recipe!
My husband Rob would GLADLY take on the cake challenge! I can be the Taste Tester?
Will gladly bake with you. Ine caveat, will have to try a gluten free option as well. ?
Oh yes I’ll do the cake challenge with you! I’m also going to look up how to make popovers….
Popovers! They are easy and delicious – I should look into that popover pan and get back into baking them 🙂
What a lovely family Christmas! And WOW to Finn crawling…good luck!!!!
What a perfect Christmas! My daughter is a little younger then Finn and it’s such a fun time! I have a 4 year old and I forgot how much I love 6 months to a year!
Have you tried forward facing Finn in the ergo yet? I’m thinking of trying it for short periods of time in the next month or so!
I see where you get your great cooking from. Love the photos of your beautiful family.
Yes!!! Please share the recipe. I’m in Charlotte so call me anytime to help bake this masterpiece!
Please PLEASE find out the cake recipe! My grandmother actually makes one very similar and i’m curious if it’s the same recipe 🙂