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