Christmas 2011

We had a great Christmas this year.  

So filled with family and fun that I seriously feel like I am just now coming up for air from it all!

I thought about breaking this post up into smaller installments, but I also thought that it would take me near to forever to get them all done.  So, I am just putting it ALL in this one.  There will be lots of pictures, and hopefully I will not be long-winded :)

This was Micah's third Christmas, {and Beckett's first...still cannot believe he is four months old.  Last Christmas was when we revealed the big pregnancy news to our families, and now he's here.  Craziness.} but it was the first one that she was able to start comprehending what was happening.  This caused some serious questioning and decision-making on Chris's and my parts.  Will Christmas be about gifts, wrapping paper, bows, lights, and Santa? Or will Christmas in our house be about the birth of Jesus, our Savior, who stooped so low in order to bring us into deep relationship with him?  That is a hard decision to make in a culture that throws consumerism in your face at every turn, especially at Christmas.

So, we talked very little about presents and Santa and focused on celebrating the birth of Jesus this Christmas. In fact, we talked so little about presents that Micah didn't even ask about the gifts under the tree or act interested until we began opening them. We are already looking forward to adding more ways to make that a special time with our little family.

We did, however, make a visit to the big guy in the red suit.  Micah was so excited and was completely enthralled with Santa and the little castle that surrounded his special chair.  Beckett was his sweet self even after being woken up in the middle of his nap to sit on Santa's lap and appease mommy :)
 
We baked goodies for our neighbors.

We had family over to bake and decorate sugar cookies.  This is the second year in a row that Chris's mom and sisters, our nephew{s}, my mom, and my sister have come to the house the day before Christmas Eve to do this.  I really like this tradition.  It's fun to have some low key talk time before the festivities get going.

And, we are so blessed to have families that get along so well!

Christmas Eve was spent with my family.

My kids were spoiled by their Mimi, Pappy, and LeeLee...not just in terms of gifts but also attention :)

We came home on Christmas Eve, and the kids opened their Christmas jammies to wear to bed that night.

We left cookies and a note for Santa, read the story of the birth of Jesus, and put the kids to bed.

Santa got busy on a sweet pink tricycle for Micah, and an indoor play set for both the kids.

Christmas morning, Micah came out to see what Santa brought her. She was excited.

We played for a bit, then sang happy birthday to Jesus and blew out the candle on the bubble bread.

Then, we headed to Chris's parents' house to do Christmas with them.

We headed to Grandmamma and Grandaddy's house that afternoon after naptime to round out Christmas Day celebrations.  Micah LOVED the rocking horse.

The day after Christmas was spent with Granny and Pops's side of the family.  Sadly, I have no pictures of our time with them.  But, we enjoyed it, and the kids were once again showered with love and gifts.

We really enjoyed celebrating the birth of Jesus.  My hope for our little family is that we can continue to find ways in the midst of the glitz of Christmas to honor our God who gave up everything to be one of us.  That is one amazing gift.