Christmas at the Kings

This is our second Christmas without either set of our parents. Last year we were unable to make it to Texas for Christmas and I believe Austin's mom was out of town. We did make it over to my sister, Molly's house, for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner....

In my family there are two holiday traditions that I refuse to give up. One of these is Fondue on Christmas Eve, the other is a Christmas movie at the theatre. I suppose the Christmas movie was always a big deal for our family because when we were younger, my parents hauling 5 kids to one movie had to have been quite an adventure.... and then picking out a movie that we all would like was another story.....

Well... On Christmas day I had to work from 7a-3p, so we knew that we would be celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve. I went out on Wednesday during our freezing rain storm and got all the ingredients for Fondue, artichokes, and apple pie. The best meal ever..... and my first attempt at all 3.....

I made chocolate chip cookies last week that did not turn out so good.... so I was worried about my apple pie....

I made Fondue for the first time.... and it turned out delicious. Nothing like stuffing your face with a tiny piece of fruit layered in thick, beautiful, delicious cheese.... Seriously... I think Austin and I ate 1.5 pounds of cheese between us... It was the best decision ever. I think we need to make this a weekly tradition.... 365 days is just too long.....

And the apple pie turned out delicious as well....

I can always tell how much Austin likes my cooking by how long he must sit on the couch afterwards before engaging in activity.... Let's just say we ate at 3pm and he did not get off the couch until it was time for bed. :)

Christmas dinner was a bit different. Austin picked me up for work (since we were in ANOTHER blizzard....) and we had no groceries for dinner. Apparently I was so focused on the Fondue I forgot that I needed to feed him for the ACTUAL holiday too.... No grocery stores were open.... just the gas station.... so.... we got THIS gourmet meal.....

Almost as good as the Fondue.....

However, the MOST disappointing thing about Christmas (though the birth of Christ is not disappointing at all.....), was not our gas station holiday meal, and not even that I had to work for 8 hours, but that this weather CLOSED DOWN THE MoVIE THEATRE! How are we supposed to watch our Christmas movie when the THEATRE closes? That NEVER happens! Oh well.... maybe next year! So... instead we found this 3D puzzle to do.... which turned out awesome. It will be our new centerpiece. I mean, who does not want a 3D cardboard sculpture puzzle of a Bald Eagle as their centerpiece?!?

Merry Christmas everyone and God Bless you all!