A Family Tradition at the Beaman's....

Flashback to New Year's Eve 2014

I love my sister and brother-in-law....yeah, yeah, for the obvious reasons, but on New Year's Eve my love overflows for them!  It's the BEST-EVER food day of the year!!!  My brother-in-law Kevin is the mastermind, well actually the masterCHEF, behind the delicious end to my year.   He prepares a full-blown Thanksgiving dinner for all of us every year as our family New Year's tradition!  Ginger and Kevin not only host this fantastic party..but they take that "the holidays are over blues" out of the equation by allowing us to look forward to this fun night every year.  

The boys are always so excited for this party, too, because it's a their house and they are like mini-hosts.  We play games, eat delicious food and toast at midnight!  And our favorite part of the evening (besides the food of course) is our White Elephant gift swap...it's seriously so fun! 

It's one of my favorite days of the year.  I'm going to share our menu with you...just to make you jealous...and hungry! :)

Baked ham (moist and delish!)

Mashed potatoes and gravy (soooo creamy!)

Mashed butternut squash (best thing ever!)

Corn casserole (you NEED to try this!)

Green bean casserole (yumm)

Fresh rolls (hot bunnns!)

Stuffing (duh...of course!)

For dessert:

Pumpkin bars (from scratch!!!)  

I can't wait for our next December 31st......

Christmas Morning 2014

Flashback to Christmas Day 2014

Pajamas, homemade egg and ham breakfast by Dad, cinnamon rolls, fresh coffee by Mom, family, presents, stockings....and love sure makes for an exhausting, but absolutely WONDERFUL Christmas.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  

I know I always blog about my Christmas mornings with my family, but this time I'm going to tell you about a new(ish), fun tradition that we have been doing that we just love!  Secret Santa Stockings!

Along with a a gift spending limit, we have also implemented stuffing stockings for each other into our family Christmas tradition.  On Thanksgiving, we draw names to determine who we will be giving a stocking to.  It's so much fun and my favorite part of Christmas morning!  We have really become creative with our stocking gifts.  We have been doing this for about 7 years and we have so much fun with it.  Over the years, the stockings have gotten bigger and some have even turned into Santa sacks!  Lots of yummy snacks, fun gifts and surprises will always be found in all the stockings....and for the past 4 years, there's been a little something for Brady and Brysen found in each stocking, too. :)  I love it!

Below are the pictures from our fun-filled, crazy Christmas morning, which always turns into Christmas evening before we know it. :)

This was my favorite gift for Christmas.  My sister, Ginger had it made for me and it couldn't be more ME. :)

My gifts from my sister, Bri!

Gifts from my sister Ginger and her family!

These adorable gifts are from my sweet nephews, Brady and Brysen.  They picked them out themselves!!

Sweet gifts from my sweet friends...the Parker girls!

Lovely gift from my friend, Gloria!

Gift from my sweet friend Marcel.

Amazing gifts from my mom and dad. :)

My stocking stuff!!!  My sister Ginger drew my name this year and she made me a gorgeous, handmade stocking!!!!

Spoiled by my sweet hubby!!

Fun gifts from my Mother-in-Law!

Christmas Eve 2014

Flashback to December 24, 2014

Christmas Eve

The holidays are about family and close friends.  It doesn't matter what gifts you give or receive...it just matters who you have to share this special time with.  I am realizing that more and more every year.  When the stress of the holidays start to trickle into the actual days of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day....we are missing out on the best part!  I'm so thankful to have such a loving family and amazing close family friends.  Christmas, for me, will always be about the anticipation leading up to Christmas morning....but it's also about seeing the excitement on my nephews' faces, being consumed with warmth and comfort and feeling unconditional love as it surrounds me.  

Christmas Eve is probably my favorite day of the year.  Of course, the traditions have changed from year to year, but at the same time they have stayed exactly the same.  Family, friends, food, gifts, music and love....That pretty much sums up the Lee house on Christmas Eve.  It's my favorite night of the year and I plan on spending it that way forever. 

Below are pictures that I captured on Christmas Eve.  We always spend time with our great friends, the Parker Family, and we love this tradition and hope it continues for a long, long time.  We welcome lots of friends on Christmas Eve and it's always festive and happy!