Christmas 2016

 This Christmas we had the whole fam damily here again! It's always lots of fun, and running around (I won't complain, I won't complain....). Mo suggested we do family pics at Caleb's Park since we aren't all together often enough.

 Then we went to their house for the annual Christmas Eve family gift exchange!

Maddie was beside herself to finally get an American Girl doll....well, a Wellie Wisher, the smaller (and cheaper) version I made, er, asked Oma nicely to get since she's not super responsible enough with toys for a hundred and thirty dollar doll.

Legos, Superheroes and Wii ganes for this cat and life was awesome. 

Spreading the reindeer food!

 So, full disclosure, cause, well, Santa may be listening....I totally forgot to do cookies. In the chaos of it all, I flaked. On cookies. THE most important Christmas Eve tradition of them all. Luckily, we had some donuts so I made up some half-baked story about Santa eating soooo many cookies, surely he's sick of them and needs some variation. They bit. Phew, crisis averted.

 The morning of, Garret's family joined us for some food and present opening!

Our yard-decorating neighbors found this huge Minion on clearance and decided not to add it to their display and offered it to us, knowing Gavin is obsessed with both Minions and inflatables. So we took it. It's still up. Someone refuses to let us take it down. I'm writing this January 12th.

 THEN, we went to Tamra's for lunch. See the food above? Still full but ya gotta make room for turkey.

THEN, we had a super casual BBQ in our backyard and played Pie Face. I was starting to feel the stress of all the running around but this was actually really relaxing.  No pressure, no fuss. Thank God for easy going family! And wine....

Although I gripe about the place to place, I truly love being with family....I never laugh harder or feel more myself than around those that know me best and love me anyway.

These kids are all growing up so fast and I love to just be with them and watch them blossom into great humans. That's all I want for Christmas.....

The Little Wave Christmas Party

I dare you to find something more precious than a gaggle of toddlers singing and dancing in their jammies. Or not in their jammies in case you just so happen to be that mom that forgot. Again.

But seriously.....the antlers, the choreography...I can't!

Sugary breakfast AND Santa??? Best. Party. Ever.

And we can't forget about all of Gavin's fave ladies....I mean, he totes wants to marry me one day but once that conversation happens I'm thinking these two will be in serious contention....

Santa visit #2 of 436.

We hit our favorite spot to see Santa, Bass Pro Shops. Well, I mean, was our fave...I'm kinda down on it this year. It's SO hectic and now they make you take a ticket with a time on it and people are....well, jerk faces. Some lady literally elbowed past me to get ahead in line. It's flippin' Christmas people. Sheesh.

But, they always have a great Santa and make the area look beautiful AND it's free. So I shouldn't complain, I suppose. But seriously, the line....

Santa...debunked.

I take a lot of photos. Like, ad nauseum (I can feel you nodding in agreement). This one, though....had to be taken. It represents a shift. One in which this girl views her world and one in which I view her.

Yesterday, Monique sends me a text that says Maddie has told Bella she doesn't think Santa is real. 

This girl, seven and a half with four new freckles and her 9th wiggly tooth has reasoned away Santa. After thinking about it for a long while, I realize we have to have a conversation lest she ruin Santa for everyone around her, including her impressionable and worshipping little brother.

When I ask her about it, she seems intimidated, like she knows she's supposed to believe but just...can't. I asked her why and she went into a well-thought-out hypothesis about the impossibility that some guy can navigate the night sky with flying reindeer around the entire world in one. night. She went on to say that magic isn't real. There is an explanation for everything. Feeling uncomfortable and intellectually challenged, I have no idea how to reply. I'm so not confirming this but I admire the process she used to come to her conclusion. 

So, giving her a safe space to be honest, instead of confirming or denying, I say to her:

"So, if Santa isn't real, then what does that do to the magic of Christmas for you?" (and frankly, me and daddy...). She looks at me, almost apologetically and says, "Mom, the magic of Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, not Santa.". Um, what? Mind. Blown. This little nymph of a girl has not only debunked Santa but confirmed her belief in the real meaning of Christmas. Nothing in her was disappointed or angry at us for trying to "trick" her.

I am simultaneously shocked and filled with pride. That said, I can't help but wonder how she believes in Jesus and God but not Santa. She's never seen either yet can easily dispute Santa. And without having to ask, I realize, that's real meaning of faith. The knowing, the believing, the hoping....knowing in your heart and soul that something is real, even if you can't see it, if it doesn't make sense. Feeling a sense of peace and knowing because something is stirred in you that you cannot explain...and cannot explain away.

So....while  once I may have thought my kids no longer believing in Santa may ruin Christmas in some small way, it has really made me more joyful, more "in the spirit." While I feel there's not a darn thing wrong with the "fun" of it all, Santa, the Elf, our kids, if we teach them it is so by love and example, know what it's all truly about.

And with that, Merry Christmas.

Caleb's Crusade Santa Breakfast

This is one of my favorite Christmas events....partly because it's for the best charity eva and partly because this Santa is legit.

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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

 We did our annual tree hunt at Home Depot...it's not a tree farm in the mountains but I suppose it'll have to do (never mind that it was 85 degrees out...).

It was also Game Day, which around these parts means we all dress like little matching dorks.

I tried to not be a psychotic control freak about the tree (I take my tree very seriously) and let everyone settle on one. Wasn't my first choice but it was short and fat, just how I like 'em!

 It sure is purdy...there is nothing like the glow of lights when the sun goes down....

I love decorating around the holidays....

There's something so peaceful about Christmas decor....I almost grieve the process of removing it all. 

Maybe I'll get an artificial one and keep it up all year. 

I can already hear Garret sighing.....

Supporting Daddy!

 We've been cheering on the Green Wave, who are, thus far, undefeated! The kids are learning to love basketball and even sit still (ish) at least until half time!

 I'm so happy Garret gets to do something he loves and with one of his best buds!