O Christmas tree update: The stockings are all hung by the chimney with care and the tree is definitely trimmed – Christmas has arrived for the Branstad’s.

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

And as if we haven’t eaten enough over the last couple of days, tonight we had a lasagna cook-off. Man, am I stuffed! But I managed to save room for Chris’ homemade Bailey’s!

The Haastad's come together for some pasta.

After this long weekend it’s going to be hard to get back into the swing of things, but there are more festive events next weekend to look forward to: the DMU Holiday Party, Holly & Ivy Tour, and a screening of Arthur Christmas with Mackenzie.

My little Christmas helper is all tuckered out!