The Afterglow

The day after Christmas is one of our favorites. We have one rule. We do nothing but play and spend time together. No cleaning or organizing. No busy. This year, we played with new toys, built lots of Legos and piled onto the couch for a movie. 

Abby modeling her new sweater from Grandma.

Blurry Lego building party

Princess playtime with Daddy 

Oliver is always happy when it's a movie afternoon. 

 We introduced the kids to The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe for the first time. This little love kept us laughing during our movie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAc4lNHSRgA

We had a pretty rough night a couple of days after Christmas. Maybe it was the post Christmas crash. Maybe the reality of living in a house of sinful human beings. Probably a combination of both. There were attitudes flying and frustrations mounting. I'm thankful for Joe who led us well in this moment. He took all the female emotions, gathered us on the couch and pointed us to Jesus as a family. We talked and prayed. The girls went from a very emotional 10 to a calm and peaceful 2 after the Lord broke through the resistance. What was shaping up to be a bad end to the night, ended up being the sweetest moment for our family because we pressed in instead of giving up. The girls curled up with both of us on the couch and fell asleep in our arms as we prayed. A grace gift to us and a reminder to me of the process God has called us to as parents. It isn't easy. We often get it wrong, but I'm thankful for these moments of grace and beauty when we are reminded that it isn't about behavior, it's about hearts. 

A couple of days after Christmas, Grammy and G-Diddy came to town and the fun continued with another celebration! 

We exchanged gifts, played games, went out to a fun dinner and had a great time watching everyone take a turn at Twister. 

G-Diddy introduced the girls to edamame before dinner. Once they got the hang of how to eat it, they liked it. One of the things I like about the restaurant we went to is that they have a more extensive kids' menu. It isn't just chicken fingers and mac and cheese. Abby looked at the menu and asked if she could order BBQ ribs. I love that she tried something new and really enjoyed it.

Hanging with G-Diddy before bedtime

Everyone (except me and a napping Juliet) headed out the next morning for a walk through the winter weather!  It was cold, but refreshing to get outside.

After the cold walk, everyone came inside for hot chocolate. Personally, I think G-Diddy and Oliver made the best decision and took a little nap! Oliver is always looking for a cozy lap to curl up in. 

With only 24 hours together, we packed a lot of fun and special memories into our time! Looking forward to the next time we are together again. 

Christmas 2016

The countdown to Christmas weekend was extra exciting this year. Uncle Cory came home from the academy on Friday night and stayed with us the whole weekend. We watched Christmas movies, wrapped gifts and put the final touches on our Christmas plans. 

On Saturday evening, we headed to church for the Christmas Eve service before the rest of the gang arrived.

"Your name will shine for all to see. You are the one. You are my glory. Glory in the highest! And no one else could ever compare to you Lord. And all the earth together declares...Glory in the highest!"

It had been ten years since we were all together to celebrate Christmas in one place. Nagymama came home for Christmas. It was our best Christmas present by far.

The power of FaceTime is amazing. We talk to Mama everyday on the phone. The last time Juliet was with her face to face was in July (when she was 10 months old), but when they saw each other it was like they had been together just the day before (because thanks to FaceTime, they had). These two have a special relationship already!

Papa and Nagymama were here when we got back from church. Ella's words were pretty much non stop from the minute Mama got out of the car to the time we sat down for dinner. She had her heart set on taking care of every one of Mama's needs. The royal treatment! 

"Ohhh Mama, I've missed you so much! Come inside. Would you like to wear my sweater? I don't want you to get cold. Here...let me take the cap off of your water for you. Would you like something to eat? I'll get your plate." -Ella

These girls were loopy with excitement, sugar, family and anticipation!

After dinner, the Christmas Eve traditions continued when the girls opened their Christmas pjs and annual Christmas ornament. 

After the girls were tucked in and fast asleep, we finished up the last bits of wrapping and stocking stuffing. Then, it was time for our annual Home Alone movie night. 

My dad has laughed at the exact same parts since I was a little girl!

The pups were comfortable!

As we were getting ready to sit down for dinner, Nagymama walked over to the tree and placed the red heart ornament on it. It is a picture of my grandfather. He's been gone for ten years, but when she placed him on our tree, it was a reminder of how his love, legacy and influence lived on in that room. Ella walked over to his picture and said, "Look Mommy! It's Nagypapa. Hi Nagypapa!"  Our girls have never met him, but they know all about him. 

My favorite view of the tree is on Christmas Eve. It's the one night we leave the lights on all night. I love walking out and taking it all in after we shut everything down, the house is quiet, the gift are laid out and the lights are twinkling.

Christmas morning came early! The girls could hardly contain their excitement when they came out to the tree. They waited a bit and then went to wake up the rest of the house. When we have a house full of people for Christmas and everyone adds their piles under the tree, it looks kind of crazy on Christmas morning.

Oliver knows the drill! 

Sisters in their matching Christmas jammies!

After a full day of fun and excitement, the house was quiet and it was just us. We were tired, but the good tired that comes from the sweet chaos of having a house full of family and Christmas celebrations all day. I'm so thankful for this guy. No one else I'd rather have by my side in this crazy life. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgEPnL1eij0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHfuBnrHKhY

Aunt Cyncy's tooth pillow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXrJCAjUXnQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYtJg3kjDCc

After breakfast and gifts, the girls stopped to take it all in and play!

Ella and Papa took on the annual Christmas morning Lego build! 

Grandma and Casey arrived in the afternoon! We had seven adults, three excited girls and three dogs under one roof, a few wild rounds of Pie Face, Jesus' birthday cake and lots of memories that made this Christmas extra special.

Ella was showing off one of her Christmas gifts in this pic, another beautiful sweater made with love by Nagymama.

Coloring with Grandma!

The dessert spread

Happy Birthday Jesus!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VISeqpB2H1g

Jesus' birthday cake was fun to make, but let's be honest...nothing on the table could compare to Nagymama's kremes. Nobody can get enough of the yummy goodness!

Mother & Son 💜

A definite highlight of the afternoon: Pie Face


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJzZvjGlomo


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3eyCtdLQ58

Someone needed a nap...

These two... 😆💙

Three generations!

It was such a special Christmas weekend filled with memories we will never forget! Memories that remind me over and over again of God's kindness and faithfulness in my life. 

The difference one year makes! Sweet Juliet: last year and this year. 😍