Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas!

 

Yes, I realize this post is long overdue. My "free-time" to blog is severely limited these days, and on top of that a computer update left me unable to post pictures for weeks. Fortunately, the problem is fixed and I'm back up and running.

 

Sadly, Christmas 2012 will be remembered (or not remembered) as a blur. Between recovering from childbirth, sleeping in 2-hour increments, caring for Taylor and Matty, and doing all of this while Tommy worked ridiculous hours, I did not fully embrace the holidays this year. As I mentioned in a previous post, we managed to get out enough, but I am already excited for Christmas 2013 when I can do more with the kids. As most of you know, Taylor is at the prime age to buy in to everything Christmas - all the stories about Baby Jesus, Santa, Rudolph, Elvis (our elf on the shelf), excitement in seeing Christmas lights, constant chatter about gifts - and next year Matty will be there too. These are the fun years, and while I'm sad that I could not embrace this past Christmas, I doubt Taylor noticed. :)

 

On Christmas Eve, we went to the 5:00 service at our church. This year, we put Matty in child care and let Taylor come to the service with us. I thought she would enjoy all of the music, but I was mistaken. She was pretty bored, but she did enjoy singing Silent Night by candlelight at the end of the service (even though Tommy and I about had a heart attack as she grabbed my candle and insisted on holding it). Fortunately, the candle did not drop and the church is still standing. After church, Tommy's parents and brother came over for dinner. Then, we did the final "Santa prep" before putting our over-excited children to bed. My favorite part of Christmas Eve, which includes watching "Christmas Vacation" and drinking Baileys on the rocks, is not the same anymore because that time is now spent putting tedious Christmas presents together. Exhausted, we crawled into bed at about 12:30.

 

Amazingly, we had to wake Taylor up on Christmas morning because Matty was up first (this rarely happens). The look of excitement on their little faces as they walked into the family room was just priceless. We got the whole thing on video, and I will always treasure watching it. Taylor's big gift from Santa this year was an overstuffed chair for her reading corner, and Matty's big gift was a train table. Of course, there were gifts and gifts and gifts to open as well.

 

We spent Christmas afternoon and evening at Tommy's parents' house where we opened more gifts and had a delicious steak dinner (we are always spoiled when Uncle Brian is in town). Our Christmas was low-key but wonderful. I still have a hard time looking around the room, seeing three little people opening gifts (okay, Brayden was not opening gifts this year), and comprehending that those are my children! These are magical years.

 

One of my favorite parts of Christmas this year was having a glass of wine with Tommy late on Christmas night. All kiddos were sleeping, and we took a rare moment to sit down next to the Christmas lights, have a drink, and talk. Bliss.

 

I suppose I should mention Brayden since this was his first Christmas. His baby book has a page set aside just for commentary on "Baby's First Christmas." However, there is not much to say about him at only four weeks of age. He slept through the whole thing. In fact, I barely bought him any gifts (sorry B!), but obviously, he'll get over it. We'll make up for that next year. He was a precious sight to see, however. Taylor and Matty were crazy all day, and then I would look over and see my precious baby sleeping peacefully. I love him!

 

Now, on to some pictures.

 

 

Family pic on Christmas Eve

My stylin' little guy

We let Taylor and Matty open one gift each on Christmas Eve. Of course, they picked the biggest presents under the tree at that time!

Sign that you live in 2012: Taylor tracked Santa's whereabouts on Daddy's Surface

Happy Birthday Jesus cake

Cute pic of Matty and Daddy at dinner

Taylor and Uncle Brian took turns making silly faces at each other.

Daddy reading "The Night Before Christmas"

Before bedtime on Christmas Eve

Christmas Morning

Christmas Morning - the aftermath

Baby B - sleeping in daddy's lap while we open presents

Bligh Family Photo

Brayden's 1st Christmas

We started hosting an Annual Christmas Party with Tommy's friends from high school last year. Above is a picture of all of our children in their Christmas jammies. I am excited to see how this picture will evolve over the years.

Three generation shot



Our NYE was low-key. Friends Steffenie and Fletcher came over with their little girl Blair, so at least we had company as we rang in the new year at midnight Eastern time. Taylor and I celebrated with sparking grape juice.

Steff and Blair getting a little crazy with the party favors!

2012 was good to our family. We are so grateful for all of our blessings. God has blessed us immensely. Now, on to a new year! We look forward to seeing what 2013 has to offer (no more babies, please). :)