Unto Us A Child Is Born

Merry Christmas!

There is nothing better than this time of year. I feel that we wait 11 months for this one time of pure kindness, joy, peace and overall love. Christmas is a time when people are unafraid to reveal the depths of their hearts and exert unimaginable passion and love in all aspects. Just think if we acted this way all year. The world would truly be a better place!

Christmas Eve actually didn't start off so pretty for me. Well, no I lied, it did start pretty....

I've been waiting all week to make this special bowl of Christmas Oats. Banana and Pomegranate with Pumpkin Butter. It looked awesome and tasted awesome, but sadly, I was unable to enjoy it. :( Such a bad day for me medicine wise. I could barely get down a few bites without feeling like death. Ugh, it was honestly devastating for me to see these go to waste, but I just couldn't do it.
I even tried to soothe the pain by distracting it with the lights and essence of the Christmas tree and music, but the pain won. :( Well, round 2 of antibiotics is a fail and I'm running out of options.

But no more of that, because it is Christmas, so let's talk about the good things!

My attack passed mid morning, and I was able to eat lunch. Still feeling a bit "off", I kept lunch to a simple salad. Okay, well "simple" in my terms.

Romaine, cucumber, cabbage, green beans, mango, avocado, radish, BBQ tofu, and cranberry pecans with dijon and balsamic.

Toly and I conducted on traditional Christmas Eve as we have been doing for the past 5 years. We went to church, came home and made a beautiful dinner.

Pomegrante Glazed Salmon with Whipped Squash and Brussle Sprouts

I love this recipe for salmon. You can find it on my recipe page. It taste amazing and is also so beautiful!

Toly had a baked potato and peas as his veggies.

After dinner, we opened our gifts.

Hubby knows me so well and got me exactly what I wanted.

Living Raw Food cookbook and Itouch Performance Running Gloves.

To end the night, we did as we always do.... watched "It's A Wonderful Life" while sipping hot coco and eating cookies.

It was perfect just like the past 5 years!

Christmas morning is also very traditional. Every single year, without fail, the O'Neil Christmas Breakfast is first priority. My dad goes all out!

I made Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal as my contribution.

I filled my plate with oatmeal, a little egg white omelet, fruit, a soy sausage, and a piece of pecan roll. Twas' delightful!

We usually eat first to get enough energy for the 2 hours of gift opening that follows. Yes, my family is HUGE on Christmas! We each have a pile of gifts to open. I don't think this will ever change.

I got the best gifts this year!

Blogging Book and Trader Joe's Book. (Yep, my dad knows me so well!) Did you even know that there was such a thing as a TJ's book?!?!?!

MY GARMIN!!!!!!! (As you can tell from my significant cheesy smile, this baby was much anticipated!)

But, the number one gift of 2009......

THE SNUGGIE!

Everyone got one....

The boys received their Penn State Snuggies,

My mom proudly modled hers....

Even Benny got his very own Doggie Snuggie.....

We of course, had a fashion show to show off our elusive garments

Now, we are spending the rest of the day lying around, nibbling on snacks and cookies and napping while watching Christmas movies. It's perfect!

I love my family and even though that we may be in different places in our lives, the tradition of Christmas will never go away.

I am so blessed.

To you and your family, I wish you unending joy, peace and love. You have all been an unexplainable blessing in my life and I will forever be grateful for the friendships and love that I have developed.

May you have a blessed Christmas! :)