Well, it may not have been EXACTLY what I had in mind, and I'm sure that there are plenty of things I could have done differently, but one thing for sure is that I most definitely WILL remember and cherish it. It was simple, low-key, and merry in just the right kind of way.
On Christmas Eve we had a lovely little gathering here at our house with our family on Jeremy's side. It had been a while since we'd all been together, and it was so wonderful to see them all and just hang out while we ate large amounts of food and opened quite a few gifts. I simply love having our home filled with family!
Jeremy's mom (Grandma NetNet) and her husband Randy
Thomas and Caitlyn looking all cute, Brent hiding quite conveniently behind his knees, Steph giving Cale a rather quizzical look as he comically attempts to undo the ridiculous packaging on Emma's doll. I love this picture. :)
Rosalie and Brent. what a great pair.
On Christmas morning we always go to church, so we wait and do presents once we get home. However, we did manage to squeeze in time to open our stockings, all of us in our pj's. Even Rosalie got excited about the stockings, and she quickly fell in love with her new little dolly.
Unfortunately, pictures of our kids opening stockings and presents are sadly lacking from this year. But I did take a few videos here and there. This one is from right after we did stockings. Nothing too groundbreaking, but at least my girls are cute and you get a glimpse of Jeremy's bright blue Wii pj's. Whee! :)
Christmas Morning 2009 from Talia Bridgman on Vimeo.
After stockings we all got dressed up in our Christmas finery (per Emma and Annabelle's request), and Daddy took some pictures while Mommy rushed around trying to finish getting herself ready.I literally squealed when I put this hat on Rosalie. Can you see why??
Cheeeeeeeeeeese. (but they sure do look pretty)
We enjoyed a joyous service with our church family, and by this time Emma and Annabelle were absolutely DYING to get to the presents. But first, I made us all take some more pictures while we were still dressed up. Mostly, because I wanted to give up being cute for the rest of the day, since we were going to be home, and change into my yoga pants and a sweatshirt. (which is exactly what I did.)
My loves. So much wonderful in one picture!
A rare picture of me with all THREE of my girls!
A bit of silliness. Always a good thing!
And that is pretty much how we spent the rest of our Christmas-- being lazy and relaxed, simply enjoying our time at home. Opening presents, having a few family members drop by to our delight, watching movies, playing with new games and toys, coloring, napping, spending time on the phone with all of our family in Colorado (whom we missed oh-so-VERY-much), and eating more than our fair share of fudge and other goodies. It was lovely.
Emma was thrilled with her new Polly Pockets and paper dolls, and Annabelle received a plethora of Tinkerbell things which made her little self quite happy. And Rosalie crawled in and out among all the wrapping and new things most determinedly and curiously, creating trouble as well as smiles from the rest of us. And that night as we got ready to tuck them into bed, we talked about the very best present of all: that of Jesus, God's Son. I am so glad that they can begin to understand this wonderful truth.
It is so comforting to know that no matter what each Christmas may bring, or with whom we may or may not get to spend it, it is still always about the JOY of that truth. JOY is always present and alive. JOY to the world, the Lord is come!!
JOY. An abundance of it!
13 comments:
Oh my goodness, could you or your family get any cuter? NO, I think not!
I love that little kiss Emma put on Rosalie's head...too sweet.
What lovely memories you are building.
Joy to the World the Lord is come. so true ;)
It was such a lovely Christmas! You made Christmas Eve SO special :) and I'm glad that I was there.
It looks like the rest of your Christmas was just as wonderful.
I love Annabelle in the video "You can do anything you want with it!"
and Emma, "...except spit up on it" HAHA!
You seriously have the most adorably beautiful family!
So glad you had such a wonderful Christmas! You and your girls looked SO beautiful in your "finery"! :) And yes, a relaxed, low-key day surrounded by family is exactly how I like to celebrate also!
I feel the same as you...like I was somehow missing Christmas..lol.
LOVE the pictures..oh my goodness, just precious!
Lol! I can see Steph punching you for this picture. And look at Brent, ah the young teenage boys, they just love having their pictures taken!
And how adorable are your outfits. I would even wear Emma's myself. Where did you get your jacket? I wish I could be that cute! Glad you had a happy Christmas!
Your posts always make me so happy, Talia! Your little family is so sweet.
Can I just comment on how gorgeous you look in those last few photos? Your outfit! I die! And your girls, as usual, are the most adorable things in the universe. Rosalie's hat made ME squeal! I think Maddie needs it. haha
Love you!
You look so adorable and cute and beautiful and I just am smiling from ear to ear:) and of course the girls are as cute as can be too! and LOL about giving up being cute for the rest of the day when you got home. SO Funny!!!
how PRECIOUS are your babies and how SWEEt they talk to their little sister, it's sooo cute!!
Oh Rosalie, you are giving me baby fever you sweet lil thing. I love that age!!
I love your outfits and I love even more that your little girlies wanted to get dressed up! That is so cute! My boys had no desire to get out of their PJs all dayy lonnggg so we just stayed in them until bedtime.
See what I love your blog? Your little girls just kill me with their girliness!!!
This looks like such a sweet Christmas! <3
SO CUTE! Talia I love what you are wearing! TOOOOOOO cute. And the girls look amazing also, I absolutely love your style Talia. It sounds like a perfect day =)
Talia, your little family is soooo cute! I love how you guys got all dressed up for church on Christmas Day. Such a classy, beautiful family! The girls' dresses are too adorable and Rosalie's hat is just perfect! Love it! Your pictures make me all sentimental and reminded me of dressing up on Christmas morning with my little sister. So sweet. And you look SO stunning! I LOVE your jacket! You look like Jackie O! Such a classic beauty! And the tights are just perfect too! And the bows on your heels! And your flower pin! So darling! I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!
You all look so beautiful! Emma is looking more and more grown up. I loved hearing about your Christmas, it sounds like it was a perfect day.
Rosalie is so beautiful! And I want to steal little Emma's jacket like NOW. :)
What a beautiful family!
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