The Best Christmas Ever!

This year, we truly experienced one of the best Christmases ever! My parents flew in from Nashville which really added to the fun and helped make this Christmas so great! We have felt so much love and kindness from our neighbors, family, and friends that our hearts will forever be filled with gratitude and joy whenever we look back on this time and the Christmas spirit that has filled our home!!

We had such a good time and made so many memories that I thought I would share my top Christmas favorites for this year!

• My generous Dad treated his girls to a Spa Pedicure. This was Taylor's first and she was, somewhat, hesitant at first, but then went along with it and enjoyed being pampered.
• Luke Mooned us! My mom kept teasing him that he lost his bum (I can't remember why), but then, to show us that it wasn't lost, he pulled down his pants and mooned us saying, "no I didn't, it's right here."
• I look forward to Christmas lights every year. We all piled into our Yukon and drove down to the Fairgrounds to see the lights. It was a 2-hour wait, but worth it! We brought along hot chocolate and sang Christmas songs. Blake may never be able to taste again since he grabbed my hot chocolate to drink and burned his mouth in the process. The shock of it made him throw up and temporarily ruined the moment, but he is our Blake and recovers quickly. Moments later he was smiling and being his silly self.
• Nothing beats 75 degree weather and a trip to the Beach! Although Taylor and Luke were pouting and grouchy, Blake, on the other hand, loved soaking his hands into the wet sand and had a great time!
  
• I love Christmas Eve, maybe even more than Christmas! This Christmas Eve my Dad went a different route this year and cooked an amazing Beef Tenderloin (rather than prime rib) and my mom made all of the yummy trimmings to go with it. It was a dinner to remember! No matter what you say, Mom, there's no denying it, it's tradition!
  
• I dressed the kids up for the story of the birth of Jesus and they were just so darn cute and had a blast playing the parts!
• I loved it when the kids kept looking out the window for Santa (Blake too)! Taylor swears she saw an elf's hand and a hat...they really brought out the magic of Christmas!
• Every year we give the kids PJ's to open on Christmas Eve. This year Taylor was certain she knew what her present was and Luke had no idea, but when he opened his he said, "I don't want this present." He was so bummed that the first present he got to open under the tree was PJ's.
• Taylor slept horribly Christmas Eve. She woke up numerous times during the night. I think she was hoping to see Santa and get a glimpse of her presents.
• We saw two movies, yes, 2! We saw Enchanted, which I loved, and took the kids Christmas night to see Alvin and the Chipmunks! We debated whether or not to go because Blake is so busy, but he sat on my lap the entire time. We couldn't believe it, he didn't struggle with us once!
• I loved watching the excitement on the kids faces when they woke up in the morning and as they walked downstairs and as they opened their gifts. There was a lot of squeals of delight and jumping up and down in excitement. As we sat on the stairs for our annual picture Luke said, "I know what I got...Legos and Transformers." He was so sure of his gifts since that was all he asked for. Sure enough, he got Legos and Transformers.
• I will never forget and always remember the generosity received by our family this year and the love felt in our home this Christmas!