Our First Christmas

Stella's first Christmas began with Nana's tradition of making Christmas cookies for Santa.  

 This started 9 years ago with Bryce and look how must we've grown!  It's exciting to know that we will have one more at the table next year with Caroline!

 We enjoyed Christmas at Great-Nana and Pa's house.  It was such a relaxing visit together.  I personally enjoyed the thrill that Great-Nana and Pa have for family and for their new granddaughter.  They had a special "glow" about them this year.  I sat back and soaked all of that in.  We love them very much.

 We had to make sure to make time for a 4 generations picture. These are so special to me.

 Christmas Eve Eve at the Maholland's--or Grammie and Granddaddy's I should say.

 The whole crew in front of Stella's first Christmas tree.  The Maholland's bought one for each of their boys first Christmas and planted it when Christmas was over to signify their first Christmas.  They are going to start going their grandchildren as well.  I just love that idea!  Next year Stella and Granddaddy will decorate it outside together!

 Christmas Eve with Great Nanny and Poppy was wonderful as always.  We enjoyed it at the Livery Stables.  We got to play a lot with our nephews.

 We had to make sure to get a picture of "The Beths" Such a proud Great Aunt!

 And here is another 4 generation picture with Stella's Nanny.

 Christmas Eve night we celebrated with Maw Maw and Paw Paw..Here we all are (pouring over the couch now) reading the Christmas Story.  It was so special having Stella be a part of this 26 year old tradition.  We also attended our Christmas Eve service at church.  We decided to make this a part of our Christmas Eve's to come.  It was really special worshiping with our church family celebrating Christ's birth.

 Christmas morning at our home was by far the best day.

 There's not anything better than celebrating Christ's birth together as a family in your home.  We are so blessed to have our sweet little family.

 Here we are in our yearly Christmas pajama picture.

 Every good and perfect gift is from above. Sweet baby kisses are my favorite!

 We enjoyed our special time that morning and then relaxed together until the afternoon.

 We wrapped up everything at Nana and Big Papa's house for late afternoon snacks and games.

 Big Papa got Stella her special jewelry box.  The amazing thing is we had lightly mentioned to each other about wishing we could find a special one with a spinning ballerina for Christmas.  We just let it go and figured they didn't make them anymore.  Mom and Dad had no idea we wanted one for her.  It made this gift so much more special.  Clearly, I was thrilled.

 The boys were absolutely adorable opening their gifts from us.  They knew we all weren't going to have gifts be the focus this year and April did such a good job preparing them of how important family time is on Christmas and that gifts are not what it is all about.  They were so grateful for their things.

 We really enjoyed our time here.  We played really fun games and grazed on yummy snacks all night.  We ended the night with a special "game" We all drew a name and went around the circle and had to share some positive things about the person's name we drew.  We all knew it would be fun but we had no idea it would turn into something so moving and special.  My Granny was there for all of this and she shared about very special things.  Our last 4 generations.  Poor Stella woke and was ready to eat.  I want to make sure we retake this one but I still wanted to post it!

 Life is so short.  Too short.  It is so important that we spend each day glorifying God and enjoying moment with family and those that we love.  We never know when it will be over for us here on this earth.  Our family experienced that this year and it was a wake up call.  We know that life is so fragile.  We aren't here on this earth for things.  Life isn't about that.  It isn't about your fancy house, your clothes, how much weight you've lost or gained, the big elaborate parties you throw.  Life is about moments and glorifying God in them.  God gave us everything that we ever needed when He sent His Son to this wretched world to die for us.  Stupid us--sinners who are unworthy of any of that and so unworthy of everything that God has blessed us with.  Take a moment and thank God for his love this morning.  It is the only thing that will never fail you.

 And from our home to yours...

 Merry Christmas and...

Happy Birthday Jesus!