Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Tamales for Christmas

This is a picture of the giant plate of tomales I ate on Christmas Eve. A family in our ward who live around the corner from us, invited us over for some yummy Mexican food. Steve and I never say no to Mexican food, especially when it's authentic. I couldn't stop eating, hence the huge pile on my plate. I love the Jolley tradition of pizza and the Rogers tradition of soup on Christmas Eve, but this might top them both and may become my new favorite tradition. I'm sure our friends will be delighted to find out that we will be coming over every year and expecting the same deliciousness.
Steve informed me that my family is the only family in the world who doesn't open pajamas on Christmas Eve. It may be true, but I'm certainly not opposed to starting new traditions...more presents is always a bonus. So here are my 2 cute little monsters.

Christmas morning FINALLY came. Poor Easton asked every day for a month if it was Christmas yet. He loved opening presents, and pretty much opened every single one, no matter who it was for. He doubled his train inventory, got new books. clothes, games...spoiled spoiled spoiled. He loved it all! Carly scored too, and managed to stay awake through all of it, so...good on ya Carly.We tried hard to get a good, genuine smile out of Easton. I think we told him to laugh in this picture, so he's fake laughing in order to give us a real smile. It worked.

This was my favorite picture of the day. Happy kids, Dad at home...so nice. Steve took the WHOLE weekend off and it was amazing. Carly and I were both sick (which is why I'm not present in any pictures...I look like I got hit by a bus) so it was nice to have some extra help, and Easton always loves it when Daddy is home.

We had a great dinner with our friends again, and I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of it, but really, I was just trying to keep snot off my face. This was definitely a quieter Christmas than we have had in the past, but Steve and I both agreed that it was so nice to not be traveling and to just be home together. Thanks to grandmas and grandpas and aunts and uncles who spoiled us like crazy!!

Happy New Year!!!

18 comments:

Christi said...

Hmmmm tamales. I bet they were delicious!I love that smile of Easton, even if it is fake. We had fun on Christmas too!

Alifinale said...

Yeah, authentic tamales...love it. Sounds like a good new tradition. I am a bit jealous of the staying at home and not being in pure chaos. Sounds lovely.

Kara said...

I'm a little jealous of your staying home and relaxing too. I'm not jealous of you being sick on Christmas though. I hope you start feeling better soon. I love Easton's cheesy fake smile!

Megan and Greg said...

The Arnolds have never done the pajama thing either. I just realized THIS year that it's a "thing" people do. I wanna start doing it too! So fun! Mexican food, I've only ever had the "traditional feast" Christmas Eve, but I think that sounds fun! My inlaws had Chinese.

Lauren said...

Sorry to hear you were sick, but it looks like you made the most of it! Kids look adorable in their new pj's!

Sean and Steph said...

We never did the pajama thing either, you're not alone!! :)

Melanie said...

Tamales are a huge Christmas thing around these parts. I need to get Andy to try to make them! We do the Pizza (and the pajamas too) Sorry you were sick, but I'm glad you stayed home as a family! Easton looks like he had a blast and Carly is getting TOO BIG! I need to see her!

Carol and Bruce said...

Those tamales sound so good, as you know, that would never work for dad. I made them once and it was a big job so your neighbor is awesome to go to all that work for you.

The pajamas are darling! I hope you don't feel too deprived for not getting new pjs every year, we did it for a few years but I was making them and it just got to be a little more than I could handle. I hope you keep it up. It looks like the perfect Christmas except that you and Carly were sick.
love you all and love being able to see photos of your Christmas.

Jenni said...

Hit by a bus? I don't think so. haha you're hilarious. Those pictures are absolutely adorable. I LOVE the monster pajamas, you were genius to get those. I wish I could have seen Easton open all of his presents! I bet he was so cute.

Carly in that HAT!! SO CUTE!

I really hope you're feeling better and I feel SOO lucky that I got to see you guys for even just a minute.

love you!

Mary said...

Ooh, tamales are the best. It's a big thing in Arizona and since my parents came here for Christmas, they brought some excellent homemade ones. YUM!!

I love sweet Carly in her hoodie on that ball popper toy--that thing is seriously the best toy EVER!

Glad to hear you had a great Christmas!!

Jill said...

Sheesh, Em, what a pig! Those things must've been good! :)

Gotta love little excited kiddies on Christmas. It's the best. So glad you got to have a chill Christmas at home with your cute fam and friends.

Hope you're feeling better!

Jill said...

P.S. Carly is just so beautiful. Keep those pictures coming.

Lani said...

You HAVE to open your new PJ's on Christmas Eve so that you look adorable in the Christmas morning pics! Don't ya know???

I'm with Jenni ... I wish I could of been there to see Easton open all the gifts! I love it when they understand there are great things hidden under all that pretty paper!

Matt and Shannon said...

We don't do pajamas on Christmas Eve either... I think it's so you can look cute in new pjs for Christmas morning pictures :) I think staying at home sounds nice too - maybe next year...

Lizzie said...

We're right with you on the no jammies for Christmas. Just this year I was on the same track as Steve and though maybe we should do it too. I guess next year. Your kids are so cute.

Okay, so funny about the tamales. We had real authentic tamales for our Christmas dinner too, and it was sooooo good. We decided it was our new tradition. Tamales every Christmas.

Bringhursts said...

Looks like an awesome Christmas. I can't believe how big and cute Easton is getting.

Margaret said...

My friends are teaching me to make tamales tomorrow night. I'm SUPER excited!!!

I heart tamales.

I love you and you in your snuggie. I just don't want to be in one myself. ;)

WASHINGTON SOUTHWORTHS said...

Yeah, Christmas Eve jammies are pretty much a MUST! Mmmm... authentic tamales. We had pizza for Christmas Eve and that is a tradition I can definitely handle. :) Sorry you were sick, but glad you still enjoyed the day and the long weekend home with your hubby.