a little post christmas.

In just the nick of time, the stockings were (found and) hung by the chimney with care, and Santa was finally able to stop by our home (after three failed attempts.) 

Oh my, it was a long night for all.  I think it's safe to say that I was the grumpiest person in the entire world at 2:30 am.  The kids would not fall asleep due to 1. sugar overload  2. general christmas eve excitement and 3. being in a new house I think they still get woken up from any unfamiliar noises.  

But despite mid-night grumpiness this year, there were definitely some wonderful moments: (btw a goal for this year is to learn how to take pictures inside without a flash at night)

All the sweet little cousins acting out the Nativity, singing Silent Night with all the family, playing Santa Claus, laughing and catching up with cousins and aunts and uncles, reading Christmas stories by the fire.  I love so many things about this time of year.

But I'll be honest, this year I was a little anxious for Christmas to be over.  It has been three very long months with one huge event after another and I am can't tell you how excited I am to have nothing on the calendar in the foreseeable future!!! (after our little snow bears birthday tomorrow, of course.)  Which will be a festively low-key celebration with just our little family. 

And hopefully Ava Carmel will feel better to play with us tomorrow--she and I are snuggled in bed watching the snow fall while everyone else is at church.  She started throwing up in the car on the way home last night and thank goodness we had a gift bag sitting around, which is now sitting on the side of an off ramp on I-15.  The kids were all in a panic about littering, so I asked who wanted to hold the bag until we got home. . .   

And now I know why there are random things sitting on the side of the road sometimes.

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