Christmas Eve with Nana

Christmas Eve has always been a very special tradition in my family.  As we get older and share our holidays with all of our families, we do not get to spend every Christmas Eve together so every year we are together, it is that much more special. 

As a child, I remember gathering at my Grandpa and Grandma's house for dinner after Christmas Eve Mass.   Then we would sit around the Christmas tree and exchange gifts from Grandpa, Grandma, cousins and godparents.  We would get to stay up extra late and hang out in our Christmas pajamas with all of our cousins, always trying to find Santa in the night sky on our drive home.  We would swear we would see him every year.  Because of these wonderful memories, I always look forward to Christmas Eve.  Instead of looking forward to having my uncles home from college, we know look forward to catching up on the latest with my younger cousins that are now in college and hearing what the little ones are asking for from Santa.  It may be Christmas from a different perspective as a parent now myself, but the reason for the season is the exact same and what an amazing celebration it is for Jesus' birthday.

We started this year's Christmas Eve with a wonderful brunch at Nana's, complete with homemade cinnamon rolls... no picture but just know they melt in your mouth and there is nothing else like them.

Aiden .... and Landon were getting way too excited for presents.

 The kiddos were ready and so was Kirby.

But first, Addison needed a quick heart to heart with Santa.

The grandkids special gift for Nana...

After some relaxing, some more eating, some cookie baking and decorating....

...kids playing and taking some naps...

... we all got dressed and snapped some pictures before heading to Christmas Eve service.

Merry Christmas from the Creeds, Smiths, and Carsons!

More Christmas Eve fun to come....

Christmas with Grandpa

Our Christmas fun started on December 23rd with Christmas at Grandpa's but before we headed out that evening, we snapped a few pictures of our little angel to mark the start of her first Christmas.

Then off to Grandpa's house for dinner and Christmas with Grandpa and Great Grandmother.

 Aiden loved whatever was in this package....

Golf clubs for Logan...

And a new carseat for Miss Addison.

Thanks Grandpa!  It was a fun night!

J's Birthday!

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Christmas, my man has a birthday. 

Yes, December 17th.  It makes me go a little bit crazy but boy am I grateful for him.  We had a low key morning at the house on his birthday and then Addison and I took Daddy to pick-out some new cowboy boots and back to the house for Josh to open the rest of his presents before dinner with his parents.

Addison is really into opening presents... or maybe just the paper but nonetheless, she was a big helper and even picked out some special princess paper just for Daddy.

We love you, Joshua Lee.  Happy, Happy Birthday!

Just a friendly reminder, you turn 30 next year.

Company Christmas Party

Josh and I enjoyed a night away for my company Christmas party in Oklahoma City in early December and Addison enjoyed a slumber party at Ashley and Landon's.   Here are a couple quick pictures we took before leaving our hotel for the party.

A HUGE thank you to Ash and Lan for watching Miss A.  We loved knowing she was in such great hands!

Here Comes Santa Claus...

The Adolphus Children's Parade is always a highlight of the most wonderful time of year.  This year we all loaded up and headed to downtown Dallas with donuts, coffee, and umbrellas in hand.

Here is the entire crew - Thanks to a complete stranger who was in the Christmas spirit and willing to take our picture. 

 

My mom is part of a ministry here in Dallas called Project Gabriel that counsels mothers on choosing life.  These two, Benjamin and Anaya, are a living testament to the wonderful work of Gabriel Angels.   They joined us for the parade this year and absolutely loved it. 

We all had a great time and cannot wait to welcome Santa to town again next year!

Neighborhood Tree Lighting

Josh and I took Addison to our neighborhood tree lighting in at the beginning of the month.  Stonebridge Ranch puts together a great event complete with carriage rides, a petting zoo, hot chocolate and cookies, storey time with Mrs. Clause and even a chance to sit on Santa's lap and mail a letter to the North Pole.  We cannot wait to take Addison back next year when she can do some of the fun activities.  Here are some pictures from our new family tradition.

Our sweet baby girl was sleeping up until the countdown... next year we will remember to dress in our Christmas clothes.

Christmas Card Outtakes

Josh and I decided to take our own family pictures this year for our Christmas card and opt for professional pictures around Addison's first birthday in May.  So with our camera in tow and some "props" I purchased, we put on our picture clothes and headed out.  Josh and I snapped some pictures of each other with Addison and some of our little lady by herself.   Then luckily, we recruited my Mom to take some family pictures and act silly for Addison's attention.  I seriously don't know what we would have done without her.  Here are some more of our favorites from our memorable photo shoot.