Christmas Eve morning we woke up as we have for years getting dressed and gathering the things to take to Mim’s to follow our family tradition of going to Mimi’s with grandparents, cousins and friends. In the hustle and bustle though we did not reflect on the gift it is to be able to get to continue our tradition. We rushed into it and took this year for granted as we have every year. Even though our family has been impacted with the loss of many loved ones dying we press on and have not taken the time to savor moments together as the gift they are to each of us.
This year even the uncertainty of a pandemic has robbed many of their traditions across the world. There are family units not getting to spend the day with extended families or parents in quarantine unable to spend it with their child. There are families that have lost jobs that are questioning how to buy Christmas gifts for their kids. There are people that are wishing for a Christmas miracle and longing to hug the neck of their loved ones. This reflection was not something that we discussed until after the Christmas festivities were done and decorations down but is a reflection that we hope to carry forward and in all our gatherings for friends and family. Time together with anyone you love is the best gift.
This year Grandpa and Deedee drove over on Christmas Eve morning and arrived about 9:30. We all headed to Mimi’s shortly afterwards. The Rhoads were there when we arrived and had taken their family pics but reminded us to take ours too; something we have not always been good with remembering lately. We set up games in the basement so we could spread out a little more than normal. Kristi and Stephanie came shortly after we got there and got their family pics then we all headed outside for a big group picture in the chilly weather. We welcomed going back inside to the warmth of the fire then ate, did presents, and fellowshipped for a few minutes before Stephanie and Kristi headed home.
Our four little ladies decorated their sugar cookies as their tradition has been for years then the Rhoads headed home. We hung out with Mimi a little longer then we headed home ourselves to put away our goodies at home. The girls exchanged the present they bought each other and played a little bit before aunt Kelly Face-timed us for a little bit from their Christmas ski trip to SLC. We all enjoyed talking then the girlies picked out their cookies for Santa to put them on the fireplace before they headed to Ivy’s room for their movie and game night following Sara and Katie’s tradition they started doing last year too. Mommy did make them turn their TV down when we headed to bed in hopes we all would start dreaming of sweet, sugar plums soon.
Girls woke up to a note from Cupcake that there was a funny trick on daddy … he had red and green toes
So thankful our family tradition continued this year and we gathered together with all the uncertainties. The photo ops are also a tradition … love looking at them throughout the year
Thankful to call each of these beautiful people family
Real life shot of the prep
Always great to fellowship with a great meal
The kids exchanged while the adults played their traditional secret santa
After everyone left our little ladies decorated sugar cookies
Some of us took Christmas Eve naps … like father, like son 😉
We headed home and the girlies exchanged their present to each other
Aunt Kelly FaceTimed us. Our girls were excited to show her their daddy’s toes
Before we knew it the time had come to put out cookies for Santa and go to bed for the big man to make his deliveries
