Happy Christmas Eve (a few days late)

I love these early morning alone time sessions I keep getting. The rest of the family is still sleeping while I get to sit here sipping my coffee reflecting on this Christmas Eve. Today is my favorite day of the year. For most it is Christmas Day but I look forward to Christmas Eve. There is a magical excitement all day as the holiday draws near. Tonight once church is over and Grace is in bed, there will be a quiet calm about the evening. It's a beautiful time to be joyful about how blessed we are. 

This Christmas has been hands down the best Christmas in a long time. We have been able to do so many fun activities and having a white Christmas really is the icing on the cake. We have spoiled little Grace and I can't wait for her to open presents! She is at such a fun age that my heart swells with love every day. 

I am of course looking forward to 2014 as we anticipate the birth of baby #2! 

What a wonderful time that will be! 2014 is shaping up to be the most promising year for us and I am so excited to get it started! 

Happy Christmas to all! 

 

Christmas Cookies

This evening we made Christmas cookies- or rather the first step of cookies. We made the dough, rolled it and made out holiday shapes with cookie cutters. My expectations weren't high but Grace did really well. It was fun watching her try to roll the dough and then ask for help 5 seconds later. She got her first taste of uncooked dough and then it was  a struggle to keep it out of her mouth. She seemed to really enjoy the process. Even though she's a little young I want to make sure she has as many experiences as early as possible. Kids are often under estimated and I don't want to make that mistake with our children. 

Tomorrow evening after dinner we will do the traditional frosting of the cookies which should be an even bigger adventure! 

Christmas snow

The last few years Christmas has been lacking in snow. This is not something I was accustomed to growing up. That giddy-little girl excited Christmas feeling has been hard to come by with the lack of the wintery accessory. So far this year has not disappointed. Wonderful festive Christmas snow has been falling almost daily which has put me in this peaceful happy Christmas mood. 

As a general rule I hate snow but I can't help loving it right now. And to see Grace's face light up when she realizes it is snowing! The beautiful amazement and innocence of a child at Christmas is so wonderful to witness. 

Here's to the wonder of the holiday season in all it's glory!