I've been sitting here for a while now with a few drafts about our Christmas season. I just can't quite seem to sum it up perfectly. This is when I realized, that is similar to the feelings I have during Christmas time. It's a time meant to be spent with those we love most and appreciating the things we do have. Somehow this tends to get put on the back burner while the chaos of putting a "perfect" Christmas under the tree takes over.
This year, however, I do feel like our little family did a better job than years past at remembering the true meaning of Christmas. We were in agreement with our families that we would not be exchanging gifts this year. Instead, we would simply just be together. Thankfully {most} everyone followed through, and it couldn't have turned out more perfect. My side of the family was able to get together Christmas Eve. We had a good little dinner and enjoy even better laughs. Zac's side of the family got together Christmas morning for traditional breakfast casserole and watched with full hearts as the kids played with their new toys. {The Diamond's weren't as good at following through with the "no exchange" rule ;)}
As far as Drayze's Christmas, I took a different route this year and attempted {mostly} DIY toys. This turned out to be A LOT of work. It was a lot of work that I poured my heart and soul in to. It made me enjoy the true meaning if Christmas even more! Santa was able to put a few other fun things under the tree. It's so magical watching your child's face light up with joy Christmas morning. He was in heaven!
I wouldn't go as far as saying it was a completely stress free Christmas this year. I think, for everyone, there is the struggle of "how are we going to come up with something for everyone?" We really tried to put the gifts aside this year and our family values first. It turned out to be a beautiful Holiday season. I intend to try a little harder every year to not only remember the true meaning of Christmas, but to make sure my actions match. I want my child to grow up knowing WHY we celebrate Christmas, and not just count down the days until there are presents under the tree.
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| Our first REAL Christmas tree. |
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All dressed up
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| The Nephi Light Parade |
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| Where Santa was standing outside of our house! |
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| We took our own family photos for the Christmas cards we didn't end up making. ;) |
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| Our little family Christmas morning.. taking Drayze's "Jeep" hope strapped on the back of the Jeep. |
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| Someone ended up making a haul! |
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| Feeding his animals Santa's left over cookies |
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| Christmas is exhausting stuff. Thank goodness for the lounger Grandma Karen made! |
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| Classic Christmas picture. |
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| Bottoms up! |
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| My boys built the CUTEST little snowman. The birds ate its poor face off. :( |
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| ...and a happy New Year! |
