Growing Up Reissy Cup: Christmas Celebrations

Christmas through the eyes of a child is a wonderful thing to see. Emily loved the Christmas lights in our neighborhood. It prompted Jeremy and I to step it up a little bit with our outdoor decorations! This year Emily was still at the age where she didn't ask for anything for Christmas and although she knew it was a special time of year, she really had no expectations. We tried not to overdo it with the presents from Santa and Mama and Daddy since she was also getting so many presents from aunts, uncles and grandparents. By the end of December, Emily was pointing to the manger scene and naming Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, shepherds and wise men. Now when we read any Biblical story book, she will ask me, "Is that Mary?" whenever she sees a female. I'll tell her, "no, that's Mrs. Noah" or "no that's Eve..." It is so cute.

A few things I will cherish in my heart about this Christmas:

~Rocking my nephew, Hudson, and niece, Madelyn, to sleep Christmas Day

~ Emily's eyes lighting up when she saw the Christmas lights.

~ Festive little girl Christmas dresses

~ Emily, Hunter, and Cooper chasing each other around the house and running circles around the kitchen island.

~ Many people's sweet compliments about our Christmas card this year.

~ Emily's adorable Christmas hat!

~Emily discovering some of my favorite childhood movies like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman

~Stephen playing with the three oldest grandchildren with the same game at the same time and patiently teaching them to take turns and play together. Is this my little brother? Father of two? Uncle to three?

~Finally using the good china for Christmas Eve brunch. What have I been waiting for? Life is special. Use your good china!

Christmas Eve Morning

Brunch with Jeremy's parents

Emily helps Dinkney with her gift.

and now helping Poppy...

Getting excited about her new Thomas trains!

Girls have the best of both worlds--baby dolls AND trucks and trains!

Silly family photo as a plane flies overhead

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning in Louisville. We enjoyed our church's candlelight service and it was the first time Emily managed to stay in "big church" for the whole service. We hosted Christmas Eve brunch at our house for Jeremy's parents and had dinner at their house after the Christmas Eve service. We arrived in Bowling Green at around 1pm Christmas day. We were able to see much of our extended family at Memommy Meisel's. (Somehow I have no photos of this?) We spent the rest of the day at my parents home with my siblings and their kids. We had 5 children 2 1/2 yrs. and younger. Dinner around the big table was a bit chaotic, but not as as crazy as anticipated.