A Very Merry Christmas

The Sunday before Christmas, our Pastor started out his sermon talking about expectations. For me, Christmas is  all about expectations, tradition and childhood memories. I require a certain setting for it "be Christmas". A huge Christmas eve party with friends at my parents house, Christmas morning at the grandparents with Grandpa's egg casserole and Grandma yelling for everyone to sit down, my Mom's stockings for all of us overflowing onto the floor, my dad's hilarious gifts for my Mom and my Aunt's pizza. Ideally, the ground is covered in white and Bing Crosby is singing "White Christmas" in the background. My first 2 Christmas' were spent in Texas and while I was a happy newly-wed, I compared everything to my childhood Christmas and was left very disappointed. When we knew we wouldn't be "home for Christmas" this year, I made the decision then and there that I would not be disappointed again, and instead, make the most of it and enjoy every moment.

 His comments about expectations were perfect for me. I went into Christmas expecting it to be exactly what I made of it, not what I grew up knowing.

Christmas Eve morning

Christmas Eve: Skype Party with my family. It made me miss them more, but I also felt like I was there with them. Thank God for technology! 

The first thing I wanted to do was fill our home with as many family and friends as we could on Christmas Eve. Our house was full and bustling with 40 people when I came down with a horrible stomach flu and had to retreat to my room. I wasn't expecting that! ;) I'm thankful for lots of friends and my amazing husband who pitched in helped clean my house while I was sick.

{Insert no pictures here} :)

I couldn't make the Christmas morning breakfast I had planned, so we're doing it on New Year's Eve instead. Even though I felt pretty devastated the night before, (my best friends and sisters know this from the texts I sent them) I was so excited for the kids to open their gifts that I didn't spend to much time pitying myself.

  Honestly, I don't think I made any new traditions this year--I was trying to keep from barfing on the presents--but the day was still magical, starting out with the Christmas story and filled with happy squeals and laughter as the wrapping paper was ripped off of new toys. I am so blessed.

His First Christmas, 9 1/2 months old

Nate loves the downtown skyline, and since he works there, I thought it would make a great gift! Drove the kids downtown and waited for perfect light to get this shot.

A New Camera bag. My other one is awesome too, but this will be better for carrying both baby and camera supplies when we're traveling and out and about. I love it!

Stockings really are the best part of Christmas, hands down.

I forgot to get him a gift. Brookie gave him a candy cane as a consolation prize.

Later that day, Nate's family came over for more food and games. I still wasn't feeling too good, so I was glad that I had cooked most of it the day before!

I loved our Christmas this year! I'm looking forward to celebrating a New Year in just a few days and all of the reflection that comes along with it. Merry, Merry Christmas.