We had a wonderful Christmas this year. No snow, which was better for traveling, but after having it last year I kind of missed it. Oh well, there’s always next year. This year we had 5 family Christmases.
The first was our tradition with my older nephews. They came over on a Friday night, right after Patrick got home from Seattle, and spent the night with us and most of the following day. We always have a blast and I think they enjoyed themselves.
Our second Christmas was spent with my family at the farm. We were all there around lunch time and had snacks, then opened presents and spent the early afternoon watching all of the grandkids play with their new toys and loading our loot into the car. As usual my parents did way too much, but everyone had a really amazing time together. Sam loves playing with her cousins, and the aunts and grandparents are fun too.
Our third Christmas was spent with the Jeff family on Christmas Eve. We got together for lunch, then opened present after present after present, then opened more presents in the basement, and more presents in the shed and more presents in the upstairs play room. lol. It was insane! We had a wonderful day, and Sam did great considering she didn’t have a nap. She loved playing with her new toys, and spending time with family. Again we are very blessed and thankful.
After we left the Jeff’s family Christmas we went home to do some of our family traditions. We put out cookies for Santa, then we turned on the Christmas Tree lights, laid out a blanket and listened to our recordable books that we started last year. This year we got her A Charlie Brown Christmas. She loved it, especially the music that played on each page. Patrick and I love recording the books then giving them to her on Christmas Eve so we can all enjoy them together by tree light. It really got us in the Christmas spirit! After she went to bed “Santa” came!
On Christmas day we had 3 more Christmases! The first was ours!!! Sam woke up Christmas morning calling for mama dada as usual. We went and got her, and had the cameras ready, we were so excited for her reaction to what Santa brought! However, that excitement was shortly lived and followed by a little nagging trying to get Sam to stop playing with all of her new toys she had received from grandparents the two days prior, and make her way to the kitchen to see the rest. lol. As soon as she entered the kitchen the excitement was back. She was a little confused, but liked the Tinkerbelle paper that covered her big gift. She went over too it and I helped her unwrap her new kitchen as she exclaimed “Woah!”. Best response ever! She spent the rest of the morning playing with her kitchen and a few other new toys, and eating our traditional heart shaped muffins for breakfast. Granna and Grandpa stopped by on their way to church to see her for a few minutes on Christmas day and then we headed to Mamo’s house.
Our fourth Christmas was with Mamo. We had an amazing lunch, then spent time visiting with everyone, and had a fun game of dirty Santa. I got an adorable picture frame and Patrick ended up with a new ceramic heater. I think we did pretty darn well. Sam loved running around and riding on Mamo’s walker. I know that next year she will have even more fun with her new cousin. We treasure the times we spend with family and enjoy every minute of it.
Our last Christmas, as usual, was at Granddad and Rosie’s house. Again, more family, more food, more presents, and more visiting. By this time Sam had about reached her limit, especially since three days in a row she had missed her nap, but she did ok considering. She kept chasing Bullet (Granddad’s dachshund) around the house, and seemed to enjoy herself while the rest of us visited. Again, next year she will have more fun when she has a cousin her size around to play with. We love spending time with everyone, and cannot wait to have them all together again.
Whew! That was a long blog, the Christmas one usually is as we have been very blessed with lots of amazing family. We hope that you had a very Merry Christmas with your loved ones and a Happy New year!
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Dear God,
Thank you for everything you do for us. Thank you for blessing us with such an amazing family. Thank you for giving us the chance to be close enough to go and visit so many of our loved ones when we want to, especially at this wonderful time of year. Thank you for giving us the true reason for the season, your son Jesus Christ. Thank you for giving us our precious daughter and letting us know this amazing love and excitement that only a child can understand. Thank you for letting me see Christmas through a child’s eyes again, because my excitement of watching her this season mirrors hers. Thank you for all of your incredible blessings and please continue to bless us this coming year.
AMEN
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