Have yourself a merry little christmas!

Christmas was wonderful. Christmas day I mean. The surrounding weeks were a little craziness and stress unfortunately. But I think it was better then last year. We were more prepared this year. I look forward to the day when there is more enjoyment then stress. We're getting there. We didn't get to fit in everything that I was wanting too (there wasn't nearly enough extended family time for my liking) but we did get to do a few fun things. We made sugar cookies and gingerbread men for Santa (and us), we decorated christmas ornaments and watched lots of fun chritsmas specials on tv. Hayley and I had our own little wrapping party and we spent more time looking at christmas lights then any other family in Kennewick. Jeremy was so good about pulling off and turning around and slowing down for any decent display within the kids eyesight. Of course the lights set to music were so fun and we made a point to visit quite a few of them. We turned the car off and all the kids (minus Livvy) climbed into the front seat of the van with us. It is probably my favorite memory I'll have from this year. Mine and Jeremy's laps piled high with bundled up kids, watching lights in the dark car, listening to music, singing along, and just relaxing and enjoying the moment. I got to spend alot of time, especially with Hayley now that she is older, talking about all that Christmas is really about. That was nice, but I missed acting out the nativity with parents and family like we've done in the past. That would have been good for Josh and Ryan. Next year we'll have to make it a priority, this year it just didn't happen.

For the first time in our married life we spent Christmas night at our own home. Usually we spend the night at my parents' house and we have a very early and crazy christmas morning. It was time to break off on our own (3 kids was pushing it, 4 would be insanity!) It was great not having to lug loads of presents between houses. We got to house hop for the rest of the day, getting to spend time with alot of our family, and it was a very nice, stress-free day! There's just always more you needed or wanted to get to, and didn't. We eventually decorated a gingerbread house, 4 days after Christmas:) So maybe better late then never. Anyone want a christmas card?