A Colorado Christmas!

Merry Christmas! We hope you all had a wonderful holiday! This year we spent Christmas at home with our own little family here in Colorado. Although I love traveling to see family during the holidays, it was fun to stay at home and enjoy Christmas with just the kids. Mike had to work on Christmas Eve, so we had to alter some of our regular holiday traditions, but not to fear, Santa still came!

For about a week before Christmas the boys would come into our room every morning shouting Merry Christmas! It was really cute, and you just wish it was Christmas so we didn't have to see their disappointed faces when we told them not yet and continued the countdown. On Christmas morning the kids came in - early as usual, but all sleepy eyed from staying up late the night before to have dinner with daddy and read the Christmas story, we finally had the chance to wish them a Merry Christmas back and see their sweet excited faces. Sam told us she heard a "clatter" the night before from Santa being on the roof, and that she could see the red light from Rudolph's nose - of course the boys chimed in and said they saw all of that too. We sent Sam out to the hall to see if Santa had come, and were met with a high pitch screaming once she saw the presents. "Mom, he came he came!" Then the boys went out to look and started screaming too. That is one thing I will definitely miss when they all get older - the excitement, and the belief they all have right now in magic!

Christmas morning just before going down to open presents!

Of course Christmas morning was much the same as everyone else; a frenzy of ripping off wrapping paper, squeals of delight, and disappointment when it's all over. It is all over much too fast, and even I find myself feeling a bit of a let down once the last present has been opened. I don't feel sad because there are no more presents, but because the season is over, the feeling is gone. The best part of Christmas is the time spent in preparation and anticipation. Once Christmas is over, it seems that all the craziness of life that has been put on hold throughout the season comes tumbling back much too quickly. I guess that's why we keep the decorations up throughout the New Year, or even longer sometimes, so we can hold on to that feeling for just a little bit longer. When I look at my kids I just wish I could still have that sweet innocence back. Christmas or not, they still "believe" and magic is part of their daily lives. I guess that is what is meant by seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child: realizing the spirit and magic of Christmas last longer than just one season, but throughout all the year as well. Merry Christmas Everyone!

Some of my favorite pictures of their faces on christmas morning:
Samantha
(Mike was really sweet and had hats made for Sam and I. This one on Sam is sooo cute! Her new word for something stylish is "fashion". Her hat is definitely her, and so fashion!

Gavin

Kaden

Our little band
(Thank you , Kari - we decided you really don't like us all that much!)