The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

I think every day with family is a wonderful time.  We have taken this season captive and squeezed in as much family fun as possible.  We have been the Griswolds this year, without the tacky sweaters or intrusive cousin Eddy.  We have incorporated many Christmas traditions that were age appropriate, including Christmas caroling in our neighborhood.  The kids loved it!!!  It was very similar to trick-or-treating; run to the house, ring the bell and shout out "Jesus Loves You."  And then we would sing!  We were out about an hour, just long enough to get cold and need some hot cocoa to warm us up afterwards and what a great way to spend the last night with our dear neighbors before they moved out.  

Christmas eve was the first time in 12 years we were not with my parents, so there was an adjustment for us.  With fewer people to open gifts, we had the kids to bed only a little bit off schedule. 

  But we were able to squeeze in "The Night Before Christmas" and putting out reindeer feed for Rudolph and cookies for the Big Man.  It must have worked because he came to visit us!!

Siena has been talking about a "bigger deer" for nearly two months and Santa heard her plea because he delivered.  Tears of joy filled her eyes when she saw him and hauled him off to her bedroom.  In her mind, Christmas was done because the best gift had come. So far, Rudolph continues to follow Siena EVERYWHERE and rides in the car with us.  He is a larger than life friend that makes our little girl grin. 

We stayed in our pjs as long as possible on Christmas morning playing with toys, drinking coffee and listening to Christmas music.  Carson was very thrilled to have things with four wheels and "borrow" anything his sister received.  What fun to see them interact!

The other present that Siena truly enjoyed was her doctor kit.  Everyone that possibly could got a physical from Dr. Siena.  I think everyone is healthy according to her records but she is on call if that ever changes. 

 We had a very festive and fun Christmas evening with Uncle Dave and Lashon and the Hamricks.  What a fun family tradition that was started when we were two young married couples with family in different states.  Together we now have 6 children who cherish time together both on Christmas and throughout the year.  

We have enjoyed a magnificent year full of firsts and agains.  Raising children doesn't call for many exciting stories to share with those we meet, but their little lives make up our own and bring us joy we never thought possible.  Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!!!  

'Tis The Season

While everyone is hustling and bustling this holiday season, our household has been peaceful and reflective.  We are purposeful doing less and experiencing more activities with joy and hope during the month of December.  That said, our decorations were a little late going up due to the late Thanksgiving and that's okay.  Put with some excellent and excited helpers, the tree was decorated in no time. 

Peppermint hot chocolate with whipped cream was a nice reward after a hard day of decorating and Christmas music.  

Siena is at the right age to help out with Christmas cookies.  The previous years have not been as fun filled for Mommy, but this year had more laughter and fewer tears.  The only draw back is with participation in food projects equals more interest in eating the cookies!!! 

 We typically have friends stopping by to play so this week we had a princess party with Tinkerbell and Cinderella.  Carson may not have had a dress of his own but he enjoyed the extra company and the accessories. 

 It has been colder and wetter than usual this Christmas season, but no snow that has stuck (we had a little ice last week).  So Kurt pulled out the sled and we had our Tennessee version of sledding, through the leaves.  The kids had fun yelling "Faster Daddy Faster!!" and Daddy got a work out.  

And what Christmas season would be complete without a trip to visit Santa Claus?  It went as expected;  Siena was so excited to see the big man in red and give her request for a "bigger deer" and Carson was just plain scared.  But rest assured that he was fine 30 seconds later when he got to play in the indoor playground.  We wish all of you a joyful and peaceful time leading up to the day of our Savior's birth.  We are so blessed to share this time with our precious children and pass down to them our traditions and stories that they will some day share with their families.  Merry Christmas to y'all!!