It Was Holly and Jolly!

We had a fantastic 3 days of Christmas cheer! We started on Thursday with Kirk's side, spent Christmas Eve with our little family of four, then Christmas day with my parents, brother and his family. By Sunday we were all worn out... and spoiled!! :) Here's a little recap of Christmas this year. (In no particular order)

Christmas day: Ella, Lauren (my niece) and Paw Paw made a gingerbread house.

Thursday's Christmas with K's family: Ella and Tenley got a wagon. Derek and Lena wanted a ride too!

Ella in her Christmas dress on Sunday, we stayed home from church Christmas Day as Tenley was sick.

Christmas Day with my family: The Grandgirls!

My Sweet Santa Baby! Still had a smile for me even though she was under the weather.

Christmas Eve with our girls: Tenley got a hippo from Ella! To read the story behind the gift go here

Christmas Eve at our house: Ella had to add her bucket under the tree for some reason.

Thursday Christmas with K's family: Isn't this the cutest baby ever!!!

Thursday's Christmas with K's family: Tenley's first Christmas.

Thursday's Christmas with K's family: Derek, Lena, Ella. Such a cute picture.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas this. Christmas was really fun this year. It was great to see the holiday through Ella's eyes. The excitement of lights, trees, and presents. Seeing the wonder in her eyes as we shared the birth of Jesus with her. Hearing her cry in the middle of the night that she "lost Baby Jesus, Mommy find Him!" and having to search for the pieces of her Nativity in the dark as she wanted to sleep with Jesus every night. Hearing the joy in her heart as she shouted Away in a Manger, O Holy Night, O Come All Ye Faithful and Jingle Bells. But one of the most meaningful things this year was holding my Tenley. I wonder what Mary's mama-heart felt that night... the peace, the joy, the questions about how this was all going to work. I wonder what if felt like to hold a precious tiny King, to look in His eyes and know He was special but not fully understand His significance. As my sweet 2 year old sang this season: "O come let us adore Him! O Holy Night stars are brightly shining! How I wonder what you are!" (She often customizes her songs just a bit by combining several songs :) for some reason she often put O Come All Ye Faithful, O Holy Night, and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.) Her rendition touched my heart a bit. Wonder perfectly describes how I felt this Christmas. Precious Jesus, how I wonder what you are.