Good bye 2014

2015 you are looking pretty darn cute! Every year we do a full out New Year's Eve with the kids only much earlier, like 8ish. This year we celebrated with our cousins. Food galore, sparklers, fire works, party hats and necklaces, cider and champagne, laughter and love. Happy New Year! 

51/52

Even though she was a grown woman, she believed in elves and Santa Claus and flying reindeer and sacks with an endless capacity for toys. Furthermore, she believed that believing in these things brought a special magic and love and fun during the Christmas season. She believed in traditions .... simple but meaningful. She believed in the innocence of childhood and the smiles of surprises. She believed in family and love and laughter.

Merry Christmas

The eve before Christmas is a night of preparation.  We wore our matching pj's (a family tradition since the birth of Alexi), sprinkled some magical reindeer food out front, adding just a little bit more this year to make sure Santa knew where our new house was and of course set out Santa's cookies and milk.  We also left a candle for Santa to blow out once he left and some carrots for the reindeer.

Christmas morning was nothing short of awesome.  The kids were so happy and surprised with many of their gifts.  Poppa got a few practical gifts and of course momma's gifts were not so practical.  Beautiful but far from practical.  Momma of course loved it .... jewelry representing the birthstones of all the kids.  Two eternity bands with sapphires and diamonds representing the girls and a tennis bracelet with aquamarine stones and a diamond heart representing the little guy.  Poppa and the kids at the jewelry store is apparently dangerous.

Mema and Caitlin came down to spend a little time with us and after that we had brunch with the Cleveland cousins.  Before we knew it Christmas was over.

We had a great Christmas and Christmas season.  Christmas and the magic of Christmas is one of the best times of the year.  Christmas through a child's eye makes me smile each and every time.

In preparation for Christmas, Ernie knows just what to do!

Once again, Ernie has totally prepared us for Christmas eve.