A little bit more

We had a glorious holiday! Christmas Eve was spent at home preparing for our annual family get-together with my mom's side of the family. The boys & I made a last minute Target run & it was DEAD. I couldn't believe my luck & we had a quick in & out trip. Afterward we headed home to start prepping food for the party. We had spinach/artichoke dip, pizza rolls & bacon bombs! C & I made sugar cookies the night before & although they aren't exactly Pinterest worthy, they were delicious & I was still proud of them. We bought a veggie tray from Costco & my mom made some Scotcharoos, Macaroni salad & Pickle guys. We also had homemade rolls with butter & Chex mix. This was the spread before family showed up & added it to. So much DELICIOUS food...

 C enjoyed being around all of the family & trying to sneak cookies off of anyone & everyone who would give him an opportunity to ask. Both boys spent the evening being loved on since they were the only two children present. My cousin moved to AZ during the summer & so their family was truly missed this year. It felt weird not having a bunch of little kids running around.

 We just ate, talked & enjoyed the good company of our loved ones. I also took LOTS of pictures! I won't share them all because this post is going to be picture heavy enough, but I just love having these memories to look back on. It was also Holden's first Christmas so we had to memorialize it in photos.

We went light on the presents this year & I honestly could have not received one single thing & I would have felt loved & happy. Presents are nice & all, but Christmas was about so much more this year. I want our boys to learn that Christmas is about Jesus & celebrating life & love. That Christmas is about family.

On Christmas Day, we spent the morning until about 5pm at the ILs house. Carter helped my MIL make crackers & we snacked on hummus & carrots. We talked & laughed & played with the baby.  We opened gifts & although they were few...they were perfect! I am so happy that my ILs did not go crazy or overboard for the boys this year. We ate a wonderful meal of prime rib, potatoes, brussel sprouts, rolls & salad. It was truly amazing!

 After dinner we headed home to have our Christmas at home with my parents, brother & closest cousins. We opened gifts & took a ton more pictures. My cousin had the amazing news that she had gotten engaged the night before after leaving our family party. I just think it's so special because K & I got engaged on Christmas Eve 2006. Such a happy moment for her & a good memory for myself.

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 We let the boys stay up a little later then 7:30 since it was Christmas, but had them get into jammies. C really is turning into an amazing, loving & caring big brother. I can't wait until Holden gets a bit older & they can really play together. Yet at the same time, I want them to stay this little forever. At this age, everything about Christmas is still just so magical for C.

I hope you all had a blessed holiday. A very Merry Christmas from our family to yours!