Christmas

Oh my goodness am I late on this one or what??

Christmas seemed like a whirl wind looking back on it, but it was so much fun!

Matt and I were so excited to see Case's reactions to everything this year, last year he was only 3 months old, so he mostly slept through all the festivities.

Our tradition has always been to put up the Christmas tree the Sunday we get back into town after Thanksgiving weekend, Case was an angel and took a three hour nap while we drug out all of our Christmas tubs, and set up the tree. It was fluffed and lit by the time we heard him waking up, and Matt and I couldn't wait to see his reaction! Coming down the stairs Case was wide eyed and said "Oooohhhhhh....Ooooooo" over and over, taking in this huge green thing that now graced his living room!

We had fun decorating the tree, being careful to put the soft and unbreakable ornaments at the bottom this year so tiny hands couldn't hurt anything. :)

Matt decided he'd take a break this year from putting up Christmas lights, since this was the last year he could probably get away with it (without the begging of a certain little man to have them up! Ha!)

I love shopping for our family, and this year I painted again, I actually painted four paintings in one night in just a few hours! I was so stressed about time and it all fell together so nicely! Such a relief :) Hey I even knitted a scarf! I was productive!! :)

Ok...so now to the good stuff.

Christmas + Toddler = So much Fun.

Christmas with Ryan and Virginia:

Ryan and VA got him the cutest vintage "Little People" set, that he literally played with non-stop that entire week. That's a looong time in toddler years.

Avery got Paint Pens for Christmas which turned into some face painting...so funny!

Can we say "Good Sport" ??

Christmas Morning was spent at our house, it was quiet and went by way too fast!

Then it was on to a full day of family. We had brunch at Amy & Tim's house with the kids and Mom and Dad. I forgot my camera so I don't have any pictures :(

We had so much fun over there, Avery squealed with delight as she opened her Sponge Bob PJ's from Mommom & Grand-Dad...cutest thing ever! The boys were excited about their presents, and Case thought my handheld vacuum cleaner was a toy. :)

After brunch we were off to Ashland for the weekend, and this year had Christmas as soon as we got there, everyone showed up at the same time, it worked out nicely and the presents began!

Words can't express what you feel when you see your child light up on Christmas morning (and day and evening in our case.)

We are so unbelievably blessed, and thankful for everyone in our lives, especially at Christmas.

We love you all.