Christmas 2014

Christmas 2014! Definitely a year to remember. Bennett was old enough this year to understand, 'If i rip off tis shiny stuff there will probably be something underneath that sings or lights up...' But then he would get frustrated at times when the car had a box around it and he couldn't play with it immediately. We had family come in from VA Beach and from Florida! Grateful that we were all together. A few family members passed around a stomach bug... luckily Brandon, Bennett and myself didn't catch it. Other then that it was a great Christmas season!


Yeehaw! Uncle michael's in town!

Christmas #1 with Mawmaw & Pawpaw

Aunt B. Notorious for her loud toys she always likes to give the kids. This is a jack hammer and boy does he love it! Such a cute gift.

Had to throw this in here. We played the white elephant gift exchange. Wonder what that thing the middle is... That would be Brandon's gift he brought.

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Visiting S A N T A at the Cabin!

Oh boy was this fun! He actually did pretty good considering. And the suspenders and bow tie... So handsome. A sweet friend passed those down!

High 5 Santa!

Ummm, yeah no. Not having that.

'Ok, mom. I'll sit by him as long as you hold me.'

Snap chats from Uncle Michael

Our family photo with the man in red!

This year I made a commitment to staying off of Social Media on Christmas Even & Christmas Day to focus on what matters most. Celebrating the birth of Jesus, family time and of course some good food! If I can be honest, it was rather freeing. Stepping away from being plugged in and connecting to a few apps that showed nothing but highlight reels where struggles of doubt, insecurity and comparison take hold. This is something that I will definitely do for all the years to come.

This Christmas Season we were able to make our own schedule, spend time with family and not miss moments. For the first time since high school I didn't work on Christmas Eve. I'm grateful this year for the opportunity that has allowed us to be a work from home family and design life on our terms. Most importantly I'm thankful that Brandon is home with us and not celebrating Christmas in another country as we have had to do once before. This picture is from the morning of Christmas Eve!

So many presents. The joys of having a sweet babe!

Working up an appetite with uncle michael

Last year in the midst of Christmas craziness and reflux madness we didn't take a family pic. This year, we got it! Cheese!

Bennett got tons of John Deere stuff from Aunt Stephy & Unc.

This boy was wound up so incredibly tight on Christmas Eve. This is the only picture I have of him in his pj's where he is not running across the room!

Our first Christmas playing Santa. Wow. It was so fun! We definitely didn't go all out by any means. Just got a few things that we knew our boy would love! I've been wanting to get Bennett a ball pit for a while. I also wanted to get him a tunnel as soon as he started crawling. We just haven't gotten around to it. So when his recent obsession with Mickey came about and I found this tent/tunnel/ball pit combo.. had to have it! Brandon kepy saying, 'Uhh I think this is pretty big.' And I was like, 'Nah! It'll be fine!' Um huge. Next time I will think twice. But only the best for Bennett!  This tent was not the easiest thing to put together. I blame it on the instructions. The kit came with 30 balls. That definitely wasn't enough. So sitting in the floor at 8:30 on Christmas Even we made a decision... and off to the stores we went!

Yeap. Target at 9:30. After stopping by Walmart which was closed. After stopping by KMart that didn't have any. Third stores the charm? Nope! So we went to the kmart on the other side of town. Frantic running through the isles as they are saying 'thank you kmart shoppers for shopping with us today the store will be closing in 5 minutes please bring all items to the front and begin checking out.' AHHHHH! Not today! So we took off faster up and down all of the isles and then.. like a light at the end of the tunnel I saw the ball pit balls. I took off running and thought, 'This is silly why am I running?' And then I thought, 'I don't care. I found them!!!!!!!!'

BOOM! I mean who wants to jump into a ball bit with 30 balls? 230 sounds better, right? Yeap!

So, once we got home and settled the stocking were hung...

And Santa had come by!

Christmas Morning. Up earlier then normal!

He went straight to his Lightning McQueen car!

A stuffed tow mater from Gramma. He said, 'Doggie Awww!'

First time enjoying Nana & Papa's delicious Christmas Breakfast!

Playing the drums with Uncle Michael

Time to open stockings!

The coolest & fastest light up hot wheel car!

We had an amazing Christmas! Grateful for intentional time spent with family and for all of the love that is poured into this sweet little guy! Now I'm going to go pick up 230 balls that are all over the bonus room. Who's idea was this anyways?