Christmas Day....

it was quiet. (well...like, before everyone woke up anyway)

and snowing outside.

and slow.

and peaceful.

and positively sweet.

our morning went like this:

wake up

stockings!!!!! (new this year! funny story at the end)

cinnamon pancakes, eggs, coffee...yum.

open presents together.

one. at. a. time.

slowly.

we are aiming for the tradition of three gifts each and a stocking.

this year, it was Christmas Eve PJ's, stockings, one big gift each (big meaning meaningful to that person) and one 'other' gift.

it didn't feel like a lot, but it didn't feel like too much...I'm sure it won't feel perfect every year but this year, it just was.

lounged around, 

played with new toys

did some pre-cooking for our meal

everyone napped!

finished cooking and ate a yummy Christmas dinner with just us.

bed for the girls.

movie and sweets for the mommy and daddy.

the end....

 Lydia:

 Samantha:

 Nora:

 Sophie:

it was a different Christmas for us.

no family here.

we didn't travel.

we didn't crash in on anyone's family.

we didn't have anyone over.

'different' doesn't always mean good or easy or fun.

but it also doesn't always mean hard or horrible.

There were many moments of sadness for both me, Jake and the girls.

We all long to be near family, but that's not different than any other day.

So, that sadness aside....it was a beautiful day.

Much to be remembered, much to be treasured, much to be thankful for and I am still savoring the memories.

stocking story:

so.

Jake and I were talking with some friends a month ago about our families Christmas traditions.

The other family was talking about stockings and I chimed in that we've never done them, Jake wasn't really a huge fan....I felt a funny stare coming from my left side, glanced over to see Jake cross eyed and hear him say something to the effect of
"I don't like stockings? YOU don't like stockings!"

Say what!?  That's so like me.  I change my mind a lot. mkay?  And sometimes I don't remember not liking something...like stockings.  I'm not denying that I didn't like stockings at one point but really, WHAT was I thinking!?

I immediately went stocking shopping because this was all just too ridiculous.

Because now I do like them and Jake likes them so by golly, we're doin' stockings!

My mom (uh hem...possibly at my request) ended up making us stockings out of old thrift store sweaters!

I LOVE THEM!!!

no really, they are the cutest stockings ever.

simple.

so big and stretchable.

colorful.

repurposed.

homemade by the world's coolest Nana!

HERE is the link I sent my mom when I begged requested her to make them.