There is a very happy little boy

Christmas was so wonderful.  I love the reactions of our little boy and making his dreams came true.  When he sent his wish list Santa he only listed one item. He told me to write a letter to Santa so he could be surprised with everything else he gets.

He was very surprised that he received things that he loves.

The past two years on Christmas Eve, the Cisco Kid has left Santa a letter with his cookies.  This year he wanted to know if he was naughty or nice. 

We were in Target the Tuesday before Christmas and The Cisco Kid saw a toy that he really wanted. We told him that Santa is watching and he might bring him the toy. On Christmas morning when he opened that toy he said, Wow!!! Santa is really watching me. The Cisco Kid is a true believer. 

To make our Christmas very special Grandma and Grandpa came to spend the holiday with us.

Christmas Eve we got an unexpected visit from some friends. They tried to sneak up to the house. They parked down the street so they wouldn't be seen until they rang the bell. We spotted them and as soon as we opened the door they started to sing Jingle bells. They brought the most delicious deserts.

The Cisco Kid made a Ginger bread train.

Christmas Brunch

Today is great to spend time with family. My in laws are in town and we are always happy they are available to come and visit. I do so much cooking for Thanksgiving that I take it easy for Christmas. Christmas day we start out with a brunch of egg soufflé. The egg soufflé is prepared 24 hours in advance. When Christmas morning rolls around all I have to do is mix two ingredients together and put it in the oven. This is the most delicious egg soufflé.

My laws have a tradition and send all their children a honey baked ham for Christmas. Christmas dinner we have the honey baked ham with creamed spinach and stuffing.

I sautéed the veggies in a small amount of bacon grease.

12 oz. bacon, fried crispy and crumbled.

2 1/2 cups of half & half

4 large eggs

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

3 cups croutons

2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

2/3 cup of half and halt to mix with cream of mushroom soup.

1. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish and add croutons. Set aside.

2. Cook bacon in a large skillet until browned. drain, crumble and set aside.

3. Sauté 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into small chunks. Set aside

4. Sauté 1/2 onion, cut into small chunks. Set aside

5. Sauté 8 mushrooms sliced. Set aside

6. In a medium bowl combine milk, eggs and dry mustard; mix well. Pour over croutons.

7. Add crumbled bacon and spread evenly over the top.

8. Add cheddar cheese on top. Then layer all the remaining vegetables.

9. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

10. Preheat oven to 300°F .

11. In a medium bowl, combine condensed soup and half and half . Spread on top of casserole. Bake, uncovered, for 90 minutes or until casserole is set and lightly browned.

Makes 8 servings

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve!!!! Tonight is just as special as Christmas day. We start our evening with a hearty dinner. Every year I make a different Christmas Eve dinner. This year I decided to make a delicious beef stew with mashed potatoes. After dinner we gather around the fire, look in our stockings and exchange gifts with each other. Tomorrow it’s all about what Santa brings.

Christmas Day we have a very traditional Dinner, Ham, Creamed spinach, Mashed potatoes and stuffing. Now for breakfast!!!!! I have started our own little family tradition. Since we think about nothing except playing with all the toys from very early in the morning to very late in the afternoon I have made an Egg Souffle Casserole that is so delicious and easy. I make it the day before and put it in the fridge over night. On Christmas morning all I have to do is put it in the oven and let it bake for one hour. It starts off with Croutons on the bottom. I then layer a variety of sautéed vegetables, crispy bacon, and then I add scrambled eggs. To top this off with goodness I add cheese. I will post that recipe.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Racing to the finish line.

Having some more fun with friends. We decided to go to the go carts races and drive a few laps with some of our friends. We really love the go carts. The Cisco Kid has an adventurous side to him. He loves fast rides. When he was two years old we took him on a kiddy rollercoaster at Disney. As we were whipping around sharp turns, climbimg up steep slopes dropping down steep slopes and going very fast, I was panicking thinking OH MY GOD!!!! What have I done to my son?!! He is going to be traumatized for the rest of his life. When we got off the rollercoaster I immediately took him in my arms and asked him if he was ok. He turned to me and said. Again Mommy, again!! I let out a huge sye of relief. I knew at that moment I had and adventurer on my hands. I guess he comes by it honestly.