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| Merry Christmas! |
We had such a wonderful Christmas this year. Sometimes I catch myself in a moment and realize how perfect it is; our Christmas was like that...
Our friends, the Staples, invited our family and our other friends, the Lloyds, to celebrate Christmas Eve at their house. We arrived shortly before dinner, dressed in our Christmas best. Dinner was fun because each family contributed something to the meal so it was great to enjoy the different Christmas dishes that are traditional for our friends.
After dinner, the little kids changed into costumes for a little nativity performance. While I read the story of the birth of Jesus aloud from the scriptures, the kids acted out the parts: Brenn and Carder as Mary and Joseph, Marjorie as a shepherd, Hunter as a lamb, Harper as the angel, and Teddy as the baby Jesus. Hunter was the only unwilling participant; he did not want to keep his little lamb hat on--not even for a minute. So he is the only one we don't have a true photo of, but I assure you that he was a cute little lambie. 
Afterwards, we changed the kids into their Christmas jammies--so many cuties in red and green, plaid and stripes. Then our friend Derek played the guitar, and we sang Christmas carols. Being around the fire, with the kids playing, hyped up on treats and the excitement of Christmas and Santa… Absolute perfection.
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| Christmas jammies with Christmas friends! Cuties in red and green from left to right: Harper, Carder holding Teddy, Brenn, Hunter, and Marjorie |
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| Brenn (left), Harper (bottom right), and Marjorie (top right): working on their Christmas cookies in their Christmas jammies |
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| Work a little, taste a little… Carder and Brenn on the left; Harper and Marjorie on the right |
As we were getting ready to leave, Harper, Marjorie, and Brenn cozied up together on Marjorie's little armchair. These little girls are such sweet friends--fun, silly, and loving. I want to remember them always, just as they are in this picture. When we left the Staples' house at the end of the night to go home and get our little Hs ready for bed, I felt overwhelmed with gratitude for the special evening that we enjoyed, with good food, great friends, and the most special memories. We can only wish and hope that next year will be exactly the same.
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| The merriest little Christmas pajama friends: Harper, Marjorie, and Brenn |
When we got home, it was already past Harper and Hunter's bedtime so they got quick baths and hopped back into their jammies. Before getting into bed, Dallin helped Harper and Hunter write a note to Santa to leave out with the cookies that they had so lovingly decorated for him. As dictated by Harper:
Dear Santa,We left these cookies for you.
We hope you like them.
I hope you get an Elsa doll for me.
I hope Hunter gets an Olaf doll.
Thank you, Santa.
Merry Christmas,
Harper & Hunter
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| Christmas cookies and a letter to Santa Can you tell which one is the 10 lb. cookie? |
While our little Hs slumbered, Santa and Mrs. Claus were busy. I mean, really busy. After all, Santa had a play kitchen AND a tent to assemble. It's a wonder how he gets all these treats down the chimney! There is something magical about Christmas Eve, when the night is dark and still, all is calm, and the glow of the Christmas tree is merry and bright.
We woke on Christmas morning, in our matching family jammies. Before Harper would go into the living room though, we had to assure her that Santa was no longer in the house. There is something about mystical creatures--like Santa, the Easter Bunny, or even the Tooth Fairy--being in her house than really unnerves her. Once she knew the coast was clear, she dashed out, and she was thrilled to behold… ELSA! An Elsa doll was the one gift Harper asked for this year, and Santa really had his work cut out for him in getting Elsa to our house on time. Our trusty Amazon dropped the ball a little, and Elsa was delayed en route from Arendelle; fortunately, she arrived at the eleventh hour and everything worked out for the best. Along with Elsa came an Olaf for Hunter because Harper insisted that was what he wanted for Christmas. And what else do sweet little people need in this world? Truly. But don't worry, they got plenty of other treats too. In fact, we were super impressed with how well Hunter did opening his presents. After opening the first gift, he seemed content. Then it was like a light bulb went off, and he realized that there were so many more to go. He was so excited to open his gifts all on his own--and he did!
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| Merry Christmas with the loves of my life |
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| Yeah!!! Santa brought us a new tent! |
Later that morning, Annie and Mimi stopped by for a quick visit. Harper and Hunter were excited to show them all their new Christmas treats! Then we tried to clean up a little so that we could get packed up to go to Mimi's house. We left later in the afternoon and drove out to Western MA for another round of Christmas with Mimi, Gramzy, Annie, Gil, Ben, and Viv. Because one Christmas celebration is never enough.
Our second Christmas celebration was nearly as exciting as the first--but not because of the gifts. Gil PROPOSED to Annie! We had actually known that he was going to propose because Gil had asked my mom, Ben, and me to dinner earlier in the week to talk about it. So all week long, we had been waiting with such anticipation, and it was an honor to be a part of this special moment between them. Annie was so surprised and happier in that moment than perhaps we have ever seen her before. We can't wait for their wedding. Harper especially is excited to resume her flower girl duties. We have made so many beautiful memories this holiday season and have counted our many blessings. Merry, merry Christmas--and happiest New Year from our family to yours.
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| Happy happy happy engagement to Annie and Gil! |
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