Christmas 2013

If I had one select word to describe Christmas 2013 it would be 'blessed.'  Because we were healthy, enjoyed good food, were able to spend time with our families, were fortunate enough to be able to buy presents for our children, and were lucky to have a kitchen to bake cookies in with my daughters.  Blessed, indeed. 

If I had to select a second word it would be 'exhausted.'  Because Christmas is hard work.  Between decorating, baking, class parties, working some, shopping, wrapping, recitals, and everything else that falls on mom's shoulders to make Christmas the most wonderful time of year for her family.   But I'm not here to complain - because, honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.

I will let pictures do most of the talking in this post.  Because I don't think I could ever come up with the adjectives to describe the magic of it all:

There wasn't a single Christmas song on the radio that put me in the spirit until I was at church on Christmas Eve and singing 'O Come All Ye Faithful' with my family. 

And I could never write down for the girls what it means to be able to spend Christmas with all 4 of their grandparents and a great-grandma.  That's something that they can only hold as special and I'm just glad I took the pictures that they can one day cherish.

 It seems silly to write how technology has helped build the anticipation of Santa's arrival, but tracking his progress around the world has become a Christmas Eve tradition for our family.  Trying to write about it just doesn't capture the buzz of energy that comes with sitting in front of the computer watching the rolling count of presents being delivered around the globe.

 And what really can be said about the tradition of making reindeer food and sprinkling it on the lawn on Christmas Eve that a picture just can't say better?

I'm not sure there is a word that could describe the genuine thrill of realizing Santa did actually come and bring presents.

 As much as I could try, I would not be able to paint the picture in words of pure joy and excitement on the girls' faces when they open up a present.  I do not take for granted that they are both energetic, bubbly girls, who I hope never enter the phase of 'the half-smile-and-polite-tiny-thank-you 'when they open up a gift.  I always try to capture their expressions and not the gifts, because that is the gift in my opinion.     

'Oops!' is the only word I have for now realizing that the only Christmas pictures I took that have Tom in them are when he is in the background.  Except this one on Christmas morning.  Sorry, honey!

 But it's only fair, I guess, because rarely do I make it on the other side of the lens myself.  I made him take a picture of me and the girls when they woke Christmas morning so they can see that their mom isn't so completely vain that she wouldn't capture a memory for them while she is in her pj's. 

And when it was all said and done on Christmas night at bedtime, Emily asked me if Christmas was all done.  And when I said yes, she told me, "Okay, we do it again tomorrow."  I'd do it all over again, too babe. 
 Blessed, indeed......