Christmas . . . and a recipe

Our Christmas morning always starts with putting Christmas Rolls (or coffee cake, sticky buns, or pull-aparts) into the oven while we see what Santa brought. It's a tradition from Adam's family, and it wouldn't be Christmas without it for him (and for all of us now). This is a terrible-looking specimen, but I'm all about the pictures, so here's what ours looked like this year. They tasted yummy!

They are super easy and you start them the night before, so there is no time cooking spent away from Christmas morning festivities. Although, I do usually make scrambled eggs to go with them, because between sticky buns and stocking candy, it's a lot of sugar to start your day with.

18 Rhoades rolls
1/2 pkg cook & serve butterscotch pudding mix
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
(optional: pecans and cinnamon)

Grease bunt pan. Sprinkle pecans in the bottom of the pan (if using), then arrange rolls around the bottom of the pan. Layer the remaining ingredients as follows: pudding mix, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon. Cover with plastic wrap and raise overnight. Bake at 325 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

After breakfast we move on to opening gifts from each other. Here are the highlights:

Isaiah's fave: DS Lite we bought used from EBay (He'd been assured for months that a DS was really expensive and a really big gift for a 6-year-old, I think he had resigned himself to the fact that it wasn't a possibility--do you see the surprise/excitement?!)

Katie's fave: princess dresses Grandma Linda made by hand (they are gorgeous and easily Katie's most-played with gift)

Max's fave: toddler slide (No pics of him enjoying it on Christmas, he was a bit pukey that day. However, he quickly mastered climbing up and sliding down face-first on his stomach!)

Of course, Christmas is not just about the presents. The real reason for the season:

The Birth of Christ

(A rag-tag, adorable bunch, eh? Gotta love acting out the Nativity!)

And, of course, the holiday season is all about family.

(Just a note about this picture: isn't it amazing?! The best group picture of Adam's family I think in 5 years! What a wonderful occasion to have everyone but Eric, who is serving a mission, together for Christmas, including Grandma and Grandpa Wilson.) Also, no pictures of my family this year, but they are just as much a part of our hearts and lives.

Hope your Christmas was as merry, and less sick, than ours!