I sported my new very fancy Target Christmas shirt for today’s festivities. I believe in Santa!
In addition to packing tons of running clothes I packed up Vegas to stay with my mom and dad. He hates car rides, but I don’t feel bad. I think it’s weird when people feel bad for their pet crying about something like this – you gotta do it kids.
I don’t know.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care…
and I hoped that tamales would be everywhere.
I walked the perros with my mom. This is always my favorite. 
Then, I made Monkey Bread. I knew the recipe in my brain since I asked SR, but it was also on the package.
Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread Recipe
Ingredients: 1/2c brown sugar, 1/2c regular sugar, 1 Tb. cinnamon
3 containers of buttermilk biscuits
1/2c butter melted
Directions: Shake up 1/2c brown sugar, 1/2c regular sugar and 1 TB cinnamon in a gallon sized plastic bag.
Cut up 1 tube of biscuits – each into quarters. Place in bag with cinnamon sugar and shake it up. Place biscuit pieces in sprayed Bundt pan. Pour 1/3 of butter over layer. Repeat 2 more times.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Flip onto plate.
Eat while warm. Optional: Share.
Dinner time!
Mi Familia.
Celebration
Dessert! 
Red Velvet Pie from Marie Callendar’s
The reason for the season
I’m bummed I don’t get to spend the actual holiday with my fam, but this was a great night!
Now I’m headed to LAX… When I wake up it’s going to be Christmas Eve and I’ll be in Florida!
Question: Do you have a Holiday dinner tradition?
We always have tamales and drinks 
In the last few years we’re tried to start a pre-Christmas dinner since I head out of town.
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Mmm I love monkey bread!
My family always has the 7 fishes on Christmas Eve – I missed it for the past two years because I was with my husband’s family in Southern California so I extra excited about it this year!
Safe travels!
Ours varies really depending on what Christmas Eve church service we decide to go to. We pick it and then decide when dinner will be. This year we will have dinner right after church so it will be a couple kinds of soup, rolls and dessert. Christmas Day lunch will be a more traditional ham (I’ll pass, thank you very much) dinner with the usual sides.
Oooh Monica, that Monkey bread looks bananas!
Merry Christmas!!
merry christmas, monica!
i love your santa tee…i got a tank top that says “i believe in santa” -> i am wearing it for the holidays then will bring it out again for summer races, just for laughs!
our tradition is KFC and homemade cookies/squares. glad you had a great time with your family!
Family dinner on Chinese New Year eve.
Too cute…and everything looks so nice…
We make the same pull apart cake for Christmas morning! It’s the best, ever!
Merry Christmas and welcome to sunny, beautiful FL!
That bread looks awesome! Have a safe flight!
Monkey bread looks great! I have never attempted to make it cause I always thought it looked so difficult. so wrong.
Will you be in Tampa area while in FL? Would love to meet up for a run if so!
We have so many holiday traditions but our biggest one is always having a HUGE Christmas breakfast on Christmas morning. We’ve changed locations throughout the year, but we never have failed feasting on french toast, baked oatmeal, eggs, pancakes, and so much more. I can’t imagine Christmas without a morning feast.
Merry Christmas Monica. Safe travels! We have lots of traditions, my favorite is having my husband “surprise” me with a Christmas book each year that we read together right before bed.
We always do some sort of takeout on Christmas Eve and then something for breakfast. This year I am trying a french toast casserole.
The Kidless Kronicles
Poor Vegas haha.
That pull-apart bread looks delish. Never had it before.
I have the same shirt! I bought it to wear to school on Friday. The kids loved it!
My parents unfortunately got divorced recently so there will be no family time for me this year (whomp, whomp)-but I figure since I’m adult it’s time for me to start making my own traditions. Just me and the dog this year! I think we’re just going to eat a lot
Please explain to me why you are so forever cute! Ok, ok, it’s not a girl crush, it’s hair jealousy. I’ve said it before, but I love your hair! I wish I was a red head!
Also, mmmm tamales! They sell some a Trader Joe’s. My white girl-self will definitely buying those in 2013!
I make my own food to bring wherever I go, so my holidays are pretty lame. So many food intolerances, so unfair. Have a great day!
You look so slim in your cute shirt! I love the Monkey Bread-I have to make that now! Merry Christmas Monica and thanks for all the humor and running and fun you provide us with your blog!
P.S. I read today that Bethenny Frankel and her husband are separating and I thought of you since you have mentioned on your blog you are a a big fan of hers…sad for her and her family
I just heard last night, super sad
I was rooting for them.
Merry Christmas