Christmas

Christmas this year at my families house was a little smaller.  Most of my siblings were at their own houses Christmas Day so it was just a few of us.  I was like a little kid this year.  I barely slept and I woke up before Audrey did.  I tried to be patient while I waited laying in bed with my eyes closed, but it was just as hard as it was when I was a kid.  I guess as a parent you can get just as excited for your child on Christmas morning as you did for yourself when you were 10.  

This year we decided to make breakfast while we waited for Karalee and Benje.  Dad stuck with the pie tradition.  :)  

My favorite parts of the morning were watching Audrey and Lillie open their gifts, watching Audrey get so excited about her gift to me and Paul, watching Kimberly open the infamous doll head, and obviously being with family.  

These are the moments I hold the most dear.  I don't know how long it will be before this doesn't happen anymore.  I hope never.  

 Doll Head Summary

When we were kids we would decorate the tree every year as a family.  Every year without fail my Mom would put this doll head ornament my aunt made on the tree.  It was so creepy.  It never stopped staring.  Every year the ornament would "randomly" disappear and end up back in the Christmas box for yet another appearance on the tree.  I'm pretty sure there were a few times that we tried to get rid of the ornament but Mom always seemed to find it.  

It's been a few years since the ornament has graced the tree and this year it was gifted to Kimberly on her very first Christmas with Caleb.  She was elated.  :)

Cousin Love

After the wedding I was able to have such a sweet visit with all of my siblings.  A bunch of us girls got together to making earrings one day while the kids played.  Audrey kept telling me how cute her baby cousin was.  She really wanted to hold her but wasn't sure if it would be okay.  Once I gave her permission she sat and talked about how Ruby was the cutest baby she had ever seen.  It was such a sweet moment.  It's a good thing my sisters have babies so we can get our fill before we head home.  

My wonderful sister Lisa also treated us to the most amazing apple cider I have ever had, and I went home with the best earrings thanks to Michelle.  I wish I could have more days like this surrounded by family.  

A Visit With Santa

I didn't think Audrey was going to get a visit with Santa this year. After my sisters wedding we stepped outside and came across a very sweet Santa Claus.  He was so patient with my Audrey who hates strangers...which I understand is a really good thing, just not once a year when you visit with Santa. 

I was so glad we stepped outside at just the right time and that we got to go with Audrey's cousins. It was a moment to remember for sure!   

December Traditions

 I have a goal of someday taking Costco's gingerbread pattern and then making my own, but that hasn't happened yet.  Costco makes this tradition so easy. I have a hard time wanting to put forth the effort when I can buy it for $10.  Although, let's be honest, I don't have an ounce of a desire to eat this one.  Maybe if I made my own I'd eat it. 

Decorating anything is right up Audrey's alley so she loves it.  She doesn't care where it comes from.  When Audrey was younger I'd find her stuffed animals everywhere and her toys lined up on shelves and counters.  She would always tell me that she was decorating.  I tried to be tolerant of it and always admire and tell her how beautiful it was before quickly cleaning up.  She didn't mind her Mom's crazy, she'd just find another place and start decorating again.  

It's been a couple years since she has wanted to decorate every minute of everyday.  New things have caught her attention and these days she fills her time with reading, writing, drawing, dancing, singing, and acting (only around her Mom).  I look back and part of me misses finding Bubba up on my shelf and her Minnie Mouse figurines lining my counter.  Another part of me relishes in every new word written, every new picture drawn, and every time she sings and new song.  She still won't miss a chance to decorate though.  Every new holiday or birthday that comes around she asks if we can decorate and is always the first one to the box of decorations or in this case the candy.  :)  

 In December Audrey's class did a reading of a play and then afterward Paul and I stayed and made gingerbread houses with the kids.  It was so much fun and Audrey was so excited to see her Dad at school.  We truly had the best gingerbread house....but of course I didn't get a picture of that part.