white christmas

Waking up Christmas morning was the most magical sight ever. The tree was lit all night, the kids were full of so much anticipation and excitement, and there was SO much snow. I couldn't have dreamed this up any better.

We had 9 oclock church, so we let the kids open their stockings AND 'something to wear'. Corbin and Taylor asked for suits for Christmas and had hoped that if that's what they got, they could open it before church :) They looked oh so handsome. Church was a happy place to be that morning.

We didn't start opening presents until 11:00! I was impressed with how patient these kids were. We even came home and ate a late breakfast beforehand. Although while I was whipping up the omelets, we let them open our two family gifts, so that helped :) I finally ordered some chatbooks from our private instagram for the year 2015. :) It was so fun to see them pour through the pages and review happy memories from that year! (Adeline being the favorite!!) They were also completely blown away that we got Lagoon season passes again for this coming summer. Corbin was convinced that wasn't happening this year.

Once the presents were opened and legos were built, we headed outside to enjoy the winter wonderland. Seriously, it made me cry happy tears. This snow was the best snow ever! 

 

 

 It felt so good to cuddle up as a family and watch our Harry Potter marathon while playing with the new toys and eating all the food that was collected over the last few days! Such a Merry Christmas!!

christmas eve 2016

Christmas Eve always feels really nostalgic to me. It was my favorite day of the year growing up and I try so hard to recreate those exact feelings. But I'm realizing that it probably won't be those same feelings that I had. And that's okay. I am learning to create our OWN new, happy, wonderful memories. And yes, it can be exhausting as a mom, but this year I feel like I paced myself way better then any other year. And to be honest, it's just worth it to me to try and make Christmas extra special, even if I am extremely tired. All those minor details that the kids (or their dad) might not even care about, I think if I didn't do it, they would notice. (that's at least what I'm telling myself to make me feel better)

In the morning, we finally delivered our neighbor gifts (and so did many of our neighbors, so I didn't feel too bad) and then we watched A Christmas Carol in the early afternoon. The kids got their presents wrapped for each other (being a procrastinator is tradition) and they even got excited when I started setting the table. Everything felt prepared and the mood was set for our evening. 

Dinner was yummy (ham loaf!) and the boys were way too tempted with the burning candles. We opened jammies, drove around to see the lights, opened sibling gifts, opened our family game, which, unfortunately, we were not in the mood to play. So we read Luke 2 and sang some carols instead. 

This year I wanted the kids to do homemade gifts for each other. Unfortunately, we ran out of time so only some of them got homemade gifts. I wish I would have been better about helping the younger ones get something made sooner, but the dollar store didn't disappoint.

Corbin had Levi

:: Homemade pokemon coloring book and airheads ::

Taylor had Rudger

:: rescue bott posters that Taylor made and a slinky ::

Adeline had Corbin (and was so happy)

:: a ninja sword ::

Rudger had Taylor

:: rocket balloons and baby ruths ::

Levi had Adeline - she finally felt happy when she got to open her bag!

:: the cutest homemade bracelet and her dollar store phone ::

:: a glimpse of that adorable bracelet ::

Then we sent the kids to bed and I got to watch my favorite show of all time forever and ever while I finished some last minute Christmas things :)

And just exactly like two years ago, right before I climbed into bed, I looked out the window and wanted to cry the happiest tears. SNOW! It was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen

eleventh birthday

 It has been such a privilege to be this boy's mom. Taylor was due at the end of the year in 2005, but my doctor said there was a good chance I would be in the hospital during Christmas and so, being the awesome doctor that he is, said he would induce me one week early. I was all over that! December 22nd is definitely a crazy time to have a birthday and can easily be overlooked. It has taken some time to figure out how to make it less Christmasy and special for him, but I have to say that the older Taylor gets the more I realize that this boy's birthday couldn't be at a more perfect time for him. He reminds me of everything good about Christmas. 

This day, as usual, didn't go as I had hoped, but I think he still had a good day. Breakfast in bed, candybar posters, and cards from both grandparents is always fun for him! A few years ago, Taylor decided that having his gift from mom and dad come at his half birthday would be a good idea, and then on his actual birthday we give him a book about each year of his life. We are on year two. (so just a little behind) :) He was SO excited to get his book! 

We were going to spend the day doing crafts and just be together, but plans changed a little and he ended up playing with a friend all afternoon. We came together

Happy Birthday Taylor!!