CHRISTMAS VACATION

Christmas this year was wonderful.  We kept with traditions and got a little more involved in others {since Bennett is getting older and understanding more, it meant more meaning to things like the Advent calendar and Jesus' birthday}.

This year we spent Christmas eve with Stephen's family, Christmas morning at home, and Christmas day with my family.  It was wonderful.  The food was amazing, everything was extremely laid back, and it sort of made me wish we didn't stress all out over food and everything at Thanksgiving like we do.  I much prefer the more "concise" {but still incredibly delicious} meals, resulting in more time spent actually visiting, resting, and conversing like we were able to do this Christmas.

{"Bennett" got a scooter...}

{I love this picture of Jacob}

Three days after Christmas we held Bennett's FIFTH birthday party {another post to come} and then left the following Friday for the camp.  My parents were out of town but my sister Erin and her family joined {Erin, isn't it awesome you are now Erin and FAMILY ;) } for the weekend and New Years.

{firework excitement}

We relaxed, relaxed a little bit, did a little relaxing, and then relaxed.  It was invigorating and gave me just enough fuel to power up for the "newness" and "resolutionism" waiting for me at home.
I still have some Christmas to take down, boo, but I have to say this season was one of my favorites in recent memory.  Maybe it had something to do with the fact that for the first time in three years I wasn't postpartum.

Hope you and yours had a VERY Merry Christmas and Happy SAFE New Years.

I have a feeling this is the year blogging will make a comeback {RIGHT bloggers???}

xoxoxo
Natalie