Christmas Time...

Christmas is such a fun time of year and our family looks forward to it in so many different ways. It's a time to really focus on happiness, joy, and the true meaning behind why we celebrate on such a miraculous special holiday - our Savior's birth. We got our tree at a local family owned tree spot near our house, had fun decorating our home with our family tradition of eating powdered donuts, sipping hot coco, and listening to Christmas music. The house always feels so cozy and warm with the twinkle lights, the smell of a real tree, and all of our little villages lit up on the counter top. We didn't stop at all that day, and as the holiday continued we ventured out to look at Christmas lights, made a gingerbread house, baked sugar cookies (both at home and with Grandma), watched Christmas movies, went on family and friend outings, and our favorite is always watching our girls' beautiful Christmas programs at their schools.

We celebrated Christmas Eve Eve with the White Family and had the greatest time being together as a family, having the kids run around with each other, enjoying a tasty dinner, and opening up some special gifts like our White Family tradition of "punch boxes" that we all love and look forward to each and every year.

The next day, on Christmas Eve, we celebrated with the Troncone family where we once again had tons of fun with family and doing our traditions that we've done since I was very tiny. Christmas candle lighting, singing Christmas carols, having Christmas story time by my Mom, and all the cousins dressing up and acting out the nativity and baby Jesus' birth, not to mention dinner and gifts - somehow my Mom makes it all work with 24 people and creating a magical Christmas every time.

Christmas Day was absolutely perfect and this year it was just the 5 of us at home and it was lovely. Jason and I woke up at 5 am to get the French toast casserole in the oven, turn on the Christmas lights, and we had a few moments to snuggle on the couch with our coffee and talk about the wonderful time of Christmas, and how blessed we are with our kids. All three kids woke up at the same time, so we were able to see the joy on their faces walking into a room with gifts waiting for them with their names on them under the tree and the table already set for breakfast. As we ate, we talked about our Savior's birth, sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, and took our annual Christmas picture on the stairs. Then we opened a few gifts, watched a wonderful movie about Christ's birth, and played all day together. Like we always say each year - this was by far the BEST Christmas yet. We are so grateful and we hope you had a magical Christmas time as well.