I love Christmas.
It is a time to slow down, spend time with family, and for me, it is a time to reflect on the year that is coming to pass.
Thankfully, Jason and I have two full weeks off from work and we are able to take it slow the days following Christmas. The torn wrapping paper has time to settle and we're able to enjoy one another and rest as we step towards a new year.
If you couldn't tell from the previous posts leading up to this one, we have had some fun-filled days leading up to Christmas. Since Mary Claire had to work on Christmas Day, we had our main family gathering on Christmas Eve this year. We had our family dinner and exchanged gifts. This year, we only did gifts for our parents and niece and nephews.
This was Luke's first Christmas with us and he made for the sweetest little addition. He has grown so much in these last (almost) 4 months and he is the sweetest little nugget.
Big brother James was a bit more in to the holiday happenings this year since he's gotten older. It was fun watching him open presents. I love hearing his sweet little voice and seeing his (literally) most precious grin that there is. He's not too sure about Aunt Ellen's "big" camera so of course, I couldn't catch his grin!
I feel like this is the first Christmas where Ann Hatten was actually in to giving and receiving gifts. It was incredibly sweet watching her eyes light up when she would open her gifts. She was truly thrilled and I think her favorite was her unicorn jewelry box. So stinking precious.
Some things I want to remember about Bennett this Christmas is him walking more, talking more, and growing up to be the sweetest little bub. His mild manner and gentle spirit are simply the best.
I mean come on, look at the faces on those boys!
This girl loves everything clothes, jewelry, princess, pink, and purple related so it goes without saying that she was thrilled with her new leopard print booties that she got from Aunt Blair.
I love this picture of James looking so intently at the wrapping before getting to tear it off. This was his nerf rocket launcher from Jason and I.
One thing I always want to remember about Papa Steve and the Christmas holidays is how he always takes the time to get each couple a new devotion book to use in the upcoming year. He wraps them and labels them just for us and as always, there's a handwritten note with the year in there from him. I love this tradition and cherish these things.
I think it's safe to say that the grocery cart was James favorite gift. He was so funny climbing in there and having Ann push him around.
Jason and I got Ann Hatten a little, mini digital kids camera and she was all about snapping pictures of everyone. She loves to use my polaroid, big camera, and phone for pictures so I knew this was exactly what she needed this year.
One thing I never want to forget is the love and care that Mama Carol puts in to our stockings. As we've gotten older those have become the show stopper for the grown kids and we love it so much. Each item that's in our stocking is thoughtful and you can tell that she's taken the time to think of things that would meaningful and useful to us. They are my favorite part as a "big kid" and I appreciate the time, effort, and love that is put in to each one.
Not pictured was our delicious Christmas Eve dinner. We had turkey, dressing, bean bundles, sweet potato casserole, and an apple crisp dessert. We may not have gotten to the dessert because of the presents and needing to get to church but man, it made for a tasty late night dessert when we got home that evening.
Our church faithfully hosts a Christmas Eve service and something neat about this year is that it was Dad's 25th time to preach that service and have the communion that goes along with it.
Christmas morning has become a little more spread out as we've each gotten married and as my siblings have had children. But, this one was special because we had The Welch's join us! They brought some delicious breakfast foods and we all had the best mornings being together.
These ladies have been the best of friends for years and years.
The Christmas morning crew oh, and Ann Hatten taking over the self stick below
I'll end with sharing a snippet from a book that I read last year but still rings true this year:
“On this side of eternity, Christmas is still a promise. Yes, the Savior has come, and with Him peace on earth, but the story is not finished. Yes, there is peace in our hearts, but we long for peace in our world.
Every Christmas is still “a turning of the page” until Jesus returns. Every December 25 marks another year that draws us closer to the fulfillment of the ages, that’s draws us closer to home.
When we realize that Jesus is the answer to our deepest longing, even Christmas longings, each Advent brings us closer to His glorious return to earth. When we see Him as He is, King of kings and Lord of lords, that will be “Christmas” indeed!
Christmas is an invitation to a celebration yet to happen. If you’ve got a Christmas longing, you’re about to be satisfied, too. Just hold on and say with me...Maranatha! Come Lord!”
Joni Eareckson Tada
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