Christmas Day

This was the front of our Christmas card this year.  

And this was the back. 

Thanks to Katie McGihon Photography and my sweet friend, Holly who's been designing our cards for years. 

On to Christmas morning at home...

Zach came downstairs and he was a little bewildered by what he saw...

Could it be?? 

His very own Polar Express Train? 

 Daddy had set up the train under the tree the night before. 

 One happy boy. 

He would have played with it all morning but eventually, we had to eat breakfast. 

Morgan made him reindeer waffles. Complete with vitamins for his eyes.😍 

 The girls requested a Green Chili Egg Casserole so that's what the rest of us had.

Then it was time to open the stockings. 

 More steam engines.

 The wonder and excitement of Christmas through the eyes of a child is so precious. 

 The girls got things like nail polish, hair clips, accessories, and black licorice. 

Faith hid daddy's gift in the tree. 

 She got him a gift card for a massage (which he will definitely enjoy!).

 Grace got one of her favorite movies of the year.

 Sisterly love. 💞

 Sticker books for Zach.

 New games to play as a family. Thank you, Ms. Marsha! 👍

 And Alex Morgan soccer jerseys.

(Not their dad, Morgan). 😁

 After the hustle and bustle of a busy season, I just love being at home all cozy with my family on Christmas morning. So special!

 Cute soccer girls. ⚽⚽

Then, later that day...

It was the BEST movie I've seen all year!

I read the classic Louisa May Alcott story to the girls last year and although in the past, I have seen a few movie variations of the story, this one was by far, the best! We loved it! 

It was a wonderful Christmas Day.

Merry CHRISTmas from our family to yours! XOXO

Family Christmas Part 2

Little cousin love. 

On Christmas Eve, we drove to my mom's to celebrate with the rest of our family. 

We got my mom a stationary bike to help her recover from knee replacement surgery. 

She's doing great. 

The boys wanted to try it out, too. 

 Its' always so nice to be able to gather in my mom's community clubhouse. 

 Emily and the girls were working on a puzzle. 

 Miles was warming up to Grace, the baby whisperer. 

 Love my mom. 

 Halmoni with sweet Elly Catherine. 

 My brother made all the food and we feasted for lunch. 

  💗💗💗

 Boys will be boys. 💙

 Girls will be girls. 💜

 Kylie and her claw machine. 

 Daddy reads Zach his new book. 

Grace loves to make things with her hands. 

 Faith and Halmoni.

 We gave Uncle Rich books about Jeremy Lin and Stephen Curry. 🏀🏀

 Unicorn headphones for the unicorn lover.

Morgan helps mom try out her new bike. 

Playing card games. 

Madi reads to Zach. 

 Miss you, dad. 💞

Three generations. 💝💝💝

We are so blessed we got to spend Christmas Eve with the rest of our family in Orange County. 

They are close enough where we can just make a day trip and be home by the evening. 

As each year passes, I don't take any family time for granted. Life is a struggle sometimes but it's in sharing and persevering through those struggles that we develop a closer, more appreciative relationship with our loved ones. 

Faith, Family, Food, and Fun.

That about sums it up. 😁 

Next up, Christmas Day!

Family Christmas Part 1

 Starting the weekend before Christmas, everyone came into town. 

Jen is officially the shortest in her family now. 😊

 So happy that Chrissy was able to get off work to join us. 

 After lunch, Uncle Roy and Kyle went out back to throw around the football. 

 And Shawn flew in, all the way from Nashville! 

 Lucy keeping Ben company as he heals from his knee surjury. 

 Gang's all here. 

 Passed out these personalized family calendars as a little gift. 

After grilling dinner (we kept it simple with steaks and chicken), we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus! 

Love this photo. 😊

And then it was time for the kids to open their gifts. 

We only have 3 kids left on this side of the family (ours). 

Everyone else is over 19! 😭   

Faith got an art set. 

 💖💖💖

 Then it was time for the White Elephant Gift Exchange among the adults.

Always entertaining and full of laughs.  

 I got Rambo the movie. 

 Plus, a high powered Nerf gun. 

 Roy got a dutch oven. 

 Plus, this lovely apron. 

 Kyle was excited about his Spikeball game.

Until it got stolen...Twice!!

 Bryan was suspicious but intrigued of this gift wrapped in a trash bag. 

 Everyone needs a shirt like this, right? 😳

 As well as some distressed holy socks. 😆

Christina picked a gift from Kyle and it was definitely the most thought out, personalized and creative. 

Lots of laughs ensued!

Big cousin love. 

 Such a fun night. 

 The next day was Sunday, so we went to Christmas service at church and then everyone met back at the house for lunch.  

Some of the guys tried out the new Spikeball game. 

They enjoyed it.

 The pool boy fetched the stray balls out of the pool.  

 While others played ping pong in the garage. 

Then most of the crew went to see the new Star Wars movie.

The weekend was a blast! All of the family ended up staying at the Fairfield Inn hotel that was only a mile away from our house. It worked out great as everyone had their own space at night and we gathered at our house for everything else. We made some fun memories, for sure! 

So grateful that everyone was able to come this year.