Merry Christmas

Shane had a big surprise for me on Christmas Eve.  He had scheduled a helicopter ride so we could look at Christmas lights.

It was very fun-we both think helicopters are cool and enjoyed the tour.  But sadly, our pictures aren't very good.  It turns out that when you turn the camera flash off at night, you need a tripod so the camera is very still-that's not very practical in a helicopter.  The pics aren't good, but they are pretty interesting- here's just one of them.

Our view from inside the helicopter, right before liftoff.

That was tons of fun, but it wasn't the only Christmas Eve surprise he had in store for me.  Once we arrived home, I was told to look for a surprise on the tree. 

Here's what I found!!!

...and a 2002 bottle of Dom Perignon.

I love champagne, but I'm not sure if this tastes any better than an inexpensive bottle; we are going to save this bottle.

I'm not sure how he managed it, but he totally surprised me & oh, I love surprises! He picked the ring out all by himself and I love it!  And I love that he proposed in front of our Christmas tree in the house we've spent the last several years dreaming about and the last year building. What a Merry Christmas for us.

Compared to that, the rest of the blog is going to be boring, but I know my mom wants to see some pics from our Christmas party & Christmas dinner.

The Party:

Homemade Christmas tree cookies (thanks for the plate stand, Mom):

Santa hat snack mix...(aren't those little hats adorable?)

Wonton appetizers and sweet & salty little smokies (not a single one survived the night!):

A cheese tree (shouldn't all food be tree shaped for Christmas?):

Pomegranate Cranberry Martinis, in the beautiful beverage dispenser that Nanette gave me for my birthday:

And the Christmas table:

Our placecards (they aren't as cute as the little Thanksgiving turkeys, but those turkeys were a tough act to follow!):

The entryway to the house (Shane hung all of those cute little greenery pieces):

Opening gifts:

More gifts:

Everyone playing with Hannah's new tablet:

Shawn playing with the tablet (er, I mean helping Hannah with the tablet):

Shane & John playing with one of the helicopters:

Helicopter down!

Resting their eyes...

I decided to try making some homemade bread for Christmas dinner.  Here it is before the dough has risen:

...and after...

Here it is fresh out of the oven.  I think it tastes as good as it looks (even if I do say so myself)!

Some other good news this holiday season-Bo had to have a glucose test at the vet & it turns out that we get to take him off the insulin.  Yay-no more shots twice a day! He'll go back in a few weeks for another test, but hopefully he is in remission.  They sent him home wearing this silly little Christmas bandana. A cat in a bandana-that just makes me giggle!

Minnie had a trip to the vet over the holidays, as well.  He gave her rave reviews, considering her age.  That was wonderful to hear.  Then we took her to "The Dirty Dawg" and gave her a much needed bath.  She must feel better because she's been very well behaved lately.  The dog wash always sends her home wearing a bandana, as well.  Normally, it goes around her neck, but isn't she super cute like this?

 My sweet little-old-lady-Minnie! Such a good sport!