We had a splendid Christmas indeed! Full bellies, good faith, and surrounded by friends and family. The night even ended with “White Christmas” as the snowflakes softly fell to the ground. It was magical and a perfect ending to a memorable holiday. This year, I was quite anxious for Christmas since Ivy was another year older. She tore through the presents, sang Christmas carols all day month long, and was a jolly little girl all day. Unfortunately, still scared of Santa, buuut, she was happy Santa still brought her presents! Christmas is so magical with children around. It brings me back to my childhood and all of the family gatherings to celebrate the “most wonderful time of the year.” And this year was even better than the last, with two children to wake up to on Christmas morning. To cuddle and hug and wish them a Merry Christmas and sing out with glee that SANTA was here! And to cherish these memories that we make together as a family, pretty special times! Here’s a little glimpse into our Christmas as a family. Hope yours was a Merry Christmas as well :)
Our fun started on Christmas Eve! John and I hosted and we had a huge ham to cook! We went to church and headed back to our house for a big feast with my family and John’s family. YUM. The ham (recipe here) turned out sooo delicious.
The table turned out pretty good for working with what I happened to have at home! Here was my inspiration for the table decor and the place setting cards
HAM. Sooo good. The glaze… mmmm. Recipe here
The next day it was Christmas morning! I couldn’t WAIT to get the kids and tell them “It’s Christmas!!!” We had been talking about it every day with Ivy as she would try to take a present from under the tree! So now it was finally time to open the presents!!! Ivy was a PRO! That’s maybe not a good thing ;) And we can’t forget…. it was Leo’s FIRST Christmas! He just got all clothes, since I apparently bought every toy imaginable for Ivy : / #handmedowns
Cutest little outfit. That reindeer butt.
Ivy is obsessed with Calico Critters right now – she got the camper from Grandma and is SO excited about it!
We also got Ivy this dollhouse, and I finally found the BEST doll family for it! I had been looking forever and they were all so strange looking. They’re from Hape and there is a grandpa, grandma, dad, mom, son, daughter, and a youngest daughter. They’re really awesome and bendable! I really like them!
We celebrated the morning with the Kochs and the evening with the Keatings (my family) and by the end we were totally completely exhausted AND stuffed from delicious food!!!
Ivy even blessed us with her singing of “Jingle Bells”
Leo with his cousin Tya!
And later that night… SNOW. Pure magic. So beautiful! “May all your Christmases be whiiiiiiite”
Santa – maybe Ivy will let go of the death grip and actually sit on Santa next year. Leo didn’t seem to mind, haha.
Hope you had a Merry Christmas!!
Now on to the New Year! I already bought this “party in a box” from Target to celebrate! Can’t wait!