Our Christmas Present

Christmas 2013 was a very special one. I had been looking forward to celebrating this holiday with our child since before she was even conceived.  It was as memorable as I imagined.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE this time of year! Despite Pat's begging, Christmas carols take over the speakers in our house and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is replayed from my DVR nightly.   Now I get another chance to experience the story of The Grinch as I read it to our beautiful, little Ama as part of her nighttime routine.  And we both love it! This will be one of the many traditions I hope to start for our new, little family.  We have a few traditions in my family, most of which center around the idea of spending time together.  One tradition being that we have always gotten a real tree, focusing more on the aroma than the size, enjoying the smells all month long (and sometimes til the end of January) as we gather throughout the season. Pat has made sure to continue this tradition for me, and has surprised me with a real Christmas tree every year no matter where we were living at the time.  He knows how much the smell reminds me of home.   And Ama has already showed the same appreciation for the wonderful smell, texture, and taste of a real Christmas Tree.  (Yes......I said taste. As Joepa played his usual role of exposing Ama to nature, I discovered just how close to nature Ama got when I found a pine needle in her diaper the next day! Oh Joepa! )

We were lucky enough to celebrate Christmas Day with each other, Oma & Joepa, Con, Meg, and Elwood!  There's not many images more special than watching our baby share hugs with her cousin. I hope this will also be a Christmas tradition for years to come!

What? Santa is coming?!!

Ama, did you hear that? Santa is coming!!

Oh yea!! Bring on the milk and cookies!!

                       "No Santa, I didn't eat your cookies?!?"

I was super excited to send out a Christmas Card this year with pictures of my favorite present.  Not easy!  I now understand why there are professionals for these things and why people are willing to pay the money for these professionals!  But here goes......Ama's photo shoot:

"Now this I agree with!!"

Then I moved on to even less enthusiastic subjects......

Back to my favorite present :)

Christmas Day was full of great memories as usual.

Whoa, I hear these things are dangerous?!?

Now I got it!

Cruisin

Even with the busy holiday season and 8 grandbabies to visit, we were lucky enough to get a visit from Memo!  And of course she brought a new outfit for Ama to wear almost every day in December- Crazy Memo making a fashionista out of my baby already!  Too cute!

Happy Holidays!!!