Christmas came very quickly this year. I am surprised that I was able to get as much together as I did {gift wise} – it was nothing short of a miracle. I am not the type of person who usually shops for gifts the weekend before Christmas, though this year I will admit I had Chris pick up the last few gifts on Christmas eve while I was at work. Also.. never again will I work on Christmas eve if I can help it – It was just way too stressful; though I commend those parents who brought their kiddos to their speech therapy appointment on Christmas eve… that is definitely the dedication I am looking for the other 364 days a year. How about next year you just give yourself, and your therapist {who, contrary to the belief of many 3 year olds, does not live at the office and sleep under the desk} a free pass from therapy.

I digress.

Here’s how our holiday went down:

{also, just a disclaimer – no, your contacts are not dry or old. yes, many of these photos are a bit blurry. The lens and settings we used was not quite fast enough to catch all of the action and I’m not talented enough to know how to fix that. bear with me as I am still very much a novice photographer}.

Sunday morning we had a great church service with some awesome music {led by my husband… so proud of him :)}. Here are Charlotte and mommy in our ‘anti-Christmas’ colors. I’m not agains Christmas colors, I just don’t like to be too match-matchy or predictable. Plus, I want Charlotte to get as much wear out of one of the adorable dresses that Chris’ Aunt Brenda gave her.

Sunday evening was our “Big Family” party. Big Family is the group of people that, while not all actually related to us by blood, are an extension of our family in a much more meaningful way than blood could ever create. There are grandparents, parents, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. It’s a beautiful thing and I love that no matter how our lives change over the years we are able to come together for a night of love and laughter. We had to take a few group shots because we forgot the tripod and had to ‘rotate’ photographers {next year’s photo will be perfect because we will plan ahead!!!}.

I love being able to catch up with old friends each year. It is crazy how quickly time passes, but always good to be able to pick back up with them as if we were never apart… though this time the conversation tended toward “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you’re a mom”. Charlotte got a lot of snuggles and a few new hairdos… hello ‘Cindy Lou Who’!

As I mentioned before, I had to work on Christmas eve {well, I didn’t have to, but being in a per diem position means no paid time off and no pay-check if I don’t work}. Once I got off of work we headed out to our church’s property where the outside pavilion was decorated with beautiful twinkle lights. There’s nothing like singing Joy to the World outside at night; it definitely helps to give you the mental image of what played out in Bethlehem so many years ago.

“Joy to the World, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every hear prepare Him room, and Heaven and nature sing. yada yada…  While fields and floods, rocks hills and plains repeat the sounding joy”.

Reminds me of the verse in Luke 19:40 – “He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” The earth was not silent at Christ’s death and I certainly believe it wasn’t silent at His birth.

After the Christmas eve service we raced back to our house to spend some time with Chris’ parents. For the past 2 years Chris and I have had an easy time of juggling families around the holidays because Chris’ parents were living in Germany, leaving our schedule open to spending time with my family. We will definitely have to work out something better for future holidays because Charlotte was in bed almost immediately after we got home  from the Christmas eve service so she barely got a chance to visit with her Lola and Grandpa. It was so nice that they took care of preparing all the food though!

Christmas morning was spent at my parent’s house. We were late {as usual} and I forgot Charlotte’s gifts from us at home {along with my makeup… yikes!}… but at least I remembered to bring my family’s gifts…. and I did remember to bring Charlotte! My mom always outdoes herself with breakfast-y snacks and then brunch later… she makes it look so effortless! Maybe by the time I am a grandma I will be able to pull off a Christmas morning like that. Thanks mom! {and dad… I’m sure you had a lot to do with things behind the scenes}

Playing with the manger scene.

Opening gifts… “we hope it’s a teether”!!

Christmas afternoon we went to Chris’ Tita Winnie’s house for a family dinner. I don’t have any photos from that but they are floating out there somewhere  on someone’s camera 🙂 Charlotte’s Titas gave her so many wonderful gifts!

This week I picked up a few patients from other therapists who are out of the office over the holiday so I am working Thursday and Friday after Christmas. While I am at work, Charlotte has been home with her daddy.

This is what I would like to think is happening at home while I am at work…

this is what my husband is posting on Facebook while I am at work, making me break out into a panic {honey, five alarm peanuts, lumpia, and ham}.

Oh well, she’ll survive.

 We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!