Christmas Recap (and some big news)

Our Christmas was quiet.  Unusually relaxing.  And beautifully simple.

As we awoke Christmas morning to the same hum of power tools on the construction site next door and the traffic sounds on the street below, I was struck by the oblivion of the people around me carrying on with their normal tasks like any other day.  A poignant reminder that the first Christmas really, is so far from the ideals of Norman Rockwell paintings and Martha Stewart publications.  The birth of Jesus didnt bring society screeching to a halt.  Bethlehem carried on unaware of a king in their midst.  There was no hallelujah chorus heralding his birth.  Christ was born into meager, humble surroundings.  And life forever changed and hope was born because of God incarnate.  So grateful to know the joy in which we celebrate.   Immanuel – God with us!

On our way to Christmas Eve candlelight service.

Milk & cookies for Santa….and carrots of course!

Torture the kids “sit still for a photo first” shot before opening stockings.

The big gift…..a little game to reveal….

WE’RE GOING HOME THIS SUMMER FOR A VISIT!!!!!

Priceless reactions!

A little hoola competition to work up an appetite before breakfast!

Evie got a Disney Princess book with a very special message inside….

She needed a little help from big sister Abi to decipher the message…..

Big reaction from our little Wish kid!!

Evie’s amazing Wish coordinator has kept tabs on us for the last two years.  We let her know we were going to be Stateside this summer and she advocated for those dates.  Evie’s big wish will come true in July!!!  A Disney cruise to meet the princesses and ride a waterside!!  She is beyond ecstatic!  It will be the trip of a lifetime and we’re so humbled and grateful our girl is a recipient of such an amazing gift!!

The pajama brigade