from...The One, Who Stole Christmas

you start with the reason for the season. taking time to focus on all that was given up, for us the have each of these days to cherish.

then you have a hearty breakfast.

and like good brothers do...you help each other open gifts from under the tree.

as you prepare yourself for all the places to go and people to see, you think back to the day before and remember the sweet new wheels you got, the hard work you and your cousin put into cooking,

and you thank your big brother for letting you, again, steal the show.

all of this, is too much and the day is still young, you pass out on the floor as you and your brother almost did the day before.

you awake to Christmas feasts, family, and more presents. again, you steal the show.

thankfully, us other lovelies got in for a pic or two. Great Grandma's. Grandma's. And sisters (one pregnant with round two).

and for dessert, we paused to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. A tradition my mom started years ago.
soon you'll understand why.

from three different camera's (don't ask) and a view from the little guy who stole Christmas......
we hope you felt as blessed as we did. We hope your home was overfilled with laughter, love, and generosity.  We hope you kept within your the heart the reason for the season and were not lost within the hustle and bustle required by each of us, on what can be, the busiest day of the year.

At times we lost sight of it and have talked about how to ensure it becomes more prominent in the celebrations for years to come.

Things we'll miss most about this Christmas season....

-being minutes away from family and friends. Next years Christmas is "still to be told" as we will be living in Colorado.
-being secure in our family of 4 being together...see mention above, between the lines most likely holds a hint that hubby could be deployed.
-the lights. Our neighbors home is on the tacky light Christmas tour, it's been such a joy to see the lights from our front porch.
-the generosity and togetherness the season prompts. As difficult as it can be to find the perfect gift and be when and where, it's a thrill.
-the sheer excitement in our children's eyes brought on only by the wonder found in this season.


Tell me, how was your Christmas?! 
Point me to your stories so the Joy of Christmas can go on!

P.S. Thanks to the shockingly WARM Christmas weather we enjoyed...mine and the hubs outfits were rather last minute. See, when you're sweating before you even the house...you know better than to wear the wool sweaters (originally planned) to another house, full of Merry. So if you came to find some form of fashion...have a look at last week's post of Leopard.Bows.and Naughty Snowman.

P. to the P.S. I won't ever dump that many photo's on you again!! errrr....unless it's one of their birthdays or next years Christmas!

I've linked with Random Wednesday brought to you by Shanna and linking with Walkabout Wednesday! Linking up with Katherine for Thursday Favorite Things