I am Grateful for Christmas

This year more than ever, I am grateful for Christmas.  As hard as it is to go through the holiday without my dad (and without our after-Christmas trip to Canada), it is the light I need to remind me that there is hope through our Savior and that there can still be joy and gladness in this world.  

I am grateful for the Magic:

Having little ones around at Christmas is magical.  Their sweet, pure belief that anything is possible is inspiring.

Elf on the shelf--Our Elf Stanley (who joined our family in 2010!!!) isn't always the most exciting or "active" elf, but this year he tried a little harder:)

We left Stanley a mini hamburger...and he ate it!!

Santa--We had our very own Santa visit this year haha.  Summer still wanted nothing to do with him, even though she was very aware that it was Dad.

 

I am grateful for the traditions:

There is comfort in doing the same thing year after year.  Traditions bring with them, so many treasured memories. 

Sunday--We had one who was less than cooperative for Christmas Sunday pictures this year.  Luckily we snapped a family selfie before Dad left for church.

 

Music--One of my absolute favorite things about this time of year is listening to my Christmas playlist, a combination of Elvis, Bing Crosby, Johnny Mathis, Michael Buble, David Archuleta with a few Justin Bieber and NKOTB mixed in.  This year some of those old holiday favorites were a little too full of memories for me, and I found myself tearing up every time they were on (even in the store).  So I listened to Jordan's playlist (which had a little more Justin Bieber and a little less Elvis) and that seemed to be a good compromise.

Gingerbread House--Who knew I was supposed to buy more than 1 gingerbread house?!  Usually, the kids don't care about helping Summer decorate it, but this year everyone was around without much else to do.  The only problem, when I went to buy more houses on Christmas Eve, they were sold out everywhere.  Maybe next year I will finally ditch the lame store-bought houses and tackle making my own!

Not pictured is the other side of the house that the store put together UPSIDE DOWN?!!

I am grateful for the lights:

Christmas lights are one of my absolute favorite things about Christmas.  Our traditional Evergreen Church light display was closed this year, which was sad (what's even sadder is I hit{and ran over}a raccoon when Tyson and I were driving by the church to see if the lights were up).  We didn't go to any light displays as a family, and Mike didn't even hang our outdoor lights. BUT I don't think I unplugged the indoor Christmas lights once all season.

Last year at the Evergreen Lights 

Tree--We all decorated our beautiful tree together.  It was so nice to have Jordan home this year.

Candles--Last year I bought one of these Scandinavian candle chime spinners that my dad loved.  This year I lit it and thought of my dad.

I am grateful for the giving:

Shopping served a little as therapy for me this year, so I may have gone a little overboard on gifts, but the spirit of giving is good right?!

Sibling gifts--This is always one of my favorites. I love having the kids open their sibling gifts on Christmas Eve because then they can give that gift their undivided attention and it won't get overshadowed by anything else they might get.

Summer got Tyson a tortilla blanket so he could REALLY wrap her up like a burrito:)

Opening gifts--The kids were all thrilled with their gifts this year (as they always are).  Jordan got a new tv, speaker, lulu leggings, wallet, Adidas sneakers, etc.  Kya got a new phone!!!, clothes, Friends lego, lulu leggings, makeup pallet, etc.  Tyson got the new XBOX series x, a winter jacket, slides, snow boots, a couple games, a hoodie, etc. 

I am grateful for the food:

Dinner--Went off without a hitch!!  Turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, even brussel sprouts yummy!!

Pulla--I made it on Dec 23rd this year so we still had some on Christmas.  So glad I learned how to make this and added it to our Christmas food list:)

Dessert--Brownie Trifle

I am grateful for something to celebrate:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Jesus--Jesus Christ is the real reason I am grateful for Christmas.  Without Him, there would be no hope, no reason to celebrate, no reason to hope.  I'm am grateful for His ultimate gift of eternal life.