A Very Preppy Christmas

      In my family, we are all about tradition, especially when it comes to holidays. For Christmas, there are a few traditions that we do every year without fail.  The first is making "Green Cookies".  Its a recipe that has been passed down about 4 generations now and one that I will most definitely be teaching my future children.  You've probably seen these cookies before as they've gotten very popular over the years, but I will stand by the claim that ours are the best and that we started this recipe...you can't prove otherwise!  Anyways, the recipe can be found here.
     My mom was worn out from making them every Christmas for the passed 25 years, so this year I decided to make them because of course, my dad started nagging for them the on Dec. 1st.  This is completely embarrassing to admit (but necessary to show how good they are) but I made two batches, each with 6 cookies, and I ate 10 of them...yes, 10.  That means that in two days I consumed almost two sticks of butter and 45 marshmallows. I'm not proud of it, but the 3 extra pounds I gained were totally worth the gooey-goodness.  I recommend you try them just once and you'll be hooked too!

aren't they cute!

Another tradition we always follow is that every Christmas we get all dressed up for church (which we actually do every time we go to church) and take family portraits before we go. This year we did a few in the house and a few at Mizner Park by the beach.

our goofy picture with your cat Voochie <3

me and my sister

My dad is such a boss

After church, just like every Christmas, we went to PF Chang's for a Chinese dinner.  I don't know how we got started on this tradition...I think it's because Chinese food is one of the few things available on Christmas Eve but I'm not really sure.

The next day was obviously Christmas morning. We open our stockings first and then take turns each opening one present until we're done.  Then we eat a huge and delicious breakfast that usually takes until lunch to prepare. But it's always worth the wait.

My Ralph Lauren stripped pj's

The next tradition is my favorite. Being from Florida, we have sunshine year round which some people don't actually like. I always get asked if I'm sad that I can't have a white Christmas. My answer: I like snow for one day, after that it just kind of annoys me. I'd rather go some place sunny for break and return to school tanner than all my friends who got snowed in and couldn't leave their houses.  Every Christmas morning, Haley (my sister) and I go to the beach for a few hours and then return in the late afternoon to help my mom start cooking our Christmas feast. If you haven't noticed, our family likes to center holidays around food, which is why I always come back from breaks with tighter pants.

This is the uh-may-zing feast my mom prepared...she really outdoes herself sometimes.

always gotta include a little Martinelli's sparkling cider for special occasions!

and a french tart for dessert!

Overall it was a great Christmas and I got some pretty sweet gifts. Two of my favorites were a gold monogrammed necklace and metallic Sperry's.  I can't wait for the spring in Annapolis to wear them!!  I hope everyone had a wonderful, relaxing break too :)