Christmas // 2019
Christmas is always a frenzied time, but with the kids getting older, and certain traditions slowing down (*see Elf Shenanigans, Santa visits, etc…) this year felt a little less go, go, go and gave us more time to stop and enjoy the moments that we were in.
Only two elf pictures this year. Sadly our little girl no longer believes, but she’s excited to make the magic for Holden next year…
Of course, you’re never too old for a Christmas list though ;)
Christmas night out at the Hobby Center
With Isla getting older we wanted to do some special things for her this time around. One of those was going downtown to see “Elf, the Musical” at the Hobby Center. We got dressed up and enjoyed a fancy dinner at Perry’s before heading downtown for the show.
The show was really great and the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.
The weather was even cooperating and we got a taste of some actual cold Christmas weather while waiting on our car. Some of us may have enjoyed it more than others…
While Holden wouldn’t have enjoyed this particular celebration, he was always the first one in the kitchen for any sign of holiday baking. He’s become a world class batter licker!
Holiday Baking
I tried to make things I knew he would enjoy, and while he may not have loved the whole brownie, he certainly got excited about the sprinkle-ladden top.
It’s not really Christmas without some sort of gingerbread… right?
Secret Santa Gift Exchange
We continued our tradition of Secret Santa with our closest friends…
and this year, Isla had a separate night with just her closest girlfriends. She organized everything from the evite to the hot chocolate bar. I think everyone had a blast!
Bio Urja Christmas Party
We found out that our pet store was doing Christmas photos right before we left for the party. Of course we couldn’t miss this photo op with Dolly, and took her into Pet Supplies Plus dressed to the nines.
Christmas Eve
At the time we didn’t know about Holden’s severe shrimp, scallop, salmon, tuna and cod allergy. Grateful he wasn't interested in any of the fish and opted to use his chopsticks for ice cream.
It’s been our tradition to get sushi on Christmas Eve ever since 2009. We were leaving Atlanta for Houston a couple days after Christmas and the house was already packed up. With a brand new Isla in tow we headed down to M.F. Sushi and came home and drank wine out of solo cups on our first Christmas Eve as a family of three. The tradition has stood ever since.
Opening a couple Christmas Eve gifts…
Also a tradition; Cinnamon Rolls on Christmas morning. They began with a can that you pop and have evolved into a totally homemade and mouth watering variety.
…And finally, the children were tucked, all snug in their beds…
Christmas Morning
What you can’t yet tell from these pictures is Holden wasn’t feeling so great.
a couple presents in, and he was down for the count.
I had whatever he had, and we unfortunately had to cancel our yearly tradition of Christmas Dinner at the Lennons, but they were kind enough to bring us a wagon full of leftovers to our door. Luckily, it was a quick 24 hour thing and we were ready to go pretty soon after.