Holidays

There is magic and joy in the holidays that I find to be so completely addicting. The traditions we grew up with are now becoming new again as we've become adults and there are littles running around my older sister's house. And, of course, there are some new fun ones....like hay on the roof for the reindeer. It's apparently a farm thing. :o) Watching the holiday season through the eyes of a child is so honest and heart warming, which is exactly what I need this time of year. I need the heart warming magic and joy to help keep my heart patient. Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve was the last place I went with all my siblings just a few months before my brother was killed. So this time of year I think my heart yearns for that togetherness feeling that I once knew just a little more than usual. This year I have been so thankful and appreciative of living closer to my family. We've almost always travelled during the holidays and only missed the long ten hour drive over more than one mountain pass on ice and snow a little bit. The drive was becoming a bit of a tradition in it's own right though with our regular stop at Mom's house in Burns, grabbing coffee in Bend or Sisters, running the dogs at Lost Lake, and calling/texting the second we hit Sweet Home to let everyone know we were almost there.

So...this year was a bit different, but great. One new great experience we had this year was Jake and I getting to take my mom to the Nutcracker the day before Christmas Eve. Going to the ballet in Portland was fabulous! I absolutely fell in love with the venue, the ballerinas (the sugar plum fairy was my favorite), and the orchestra. And getting all dressed up to go out was fun too...

Jake doesn't dress up often, but is oh so extra handsome when he does!

An up-do :o)

And my super cute madre!

It really was a great experience. I don't know how often I'll be able to talk Jake into taking me to the ballet, but I can't wait to go again.

Then there was Christmas....

We got up really early on Christmas morning so we could make it down to Sweet Home before Amelia and Olivia woke up. We made it with plenty of time to spare, got the homemade cinnamon rolls in the oven, the coffee brewing, and then waited like kids ourselves for the girls to wake up.



Super adorable in their matching pajamas (tradition).

Papa with his little Doll.

These girls are just so amazing! They loved that they got presents to open, but they loved having so many people to play and share with even more. Amelia helped coordinate the present opening and was so excited to be the "giver". So sweet. And little Olivia wanted to stop and play with everything she opened. Papa Greg found himself reading the new books that got opened almost immediately.

I can't wait to see what next year brings!