This time of the year is always a hustle bustle for our family .Our weekends get filled up fast with many family obligations and birthdays that it seems as though we don't really get to stop and enjoy the true reason for the season. This year was no different, and we spent alot of out time away from our little home. While we were at home we did enjoy passing on or family traditions with Carter now that he is older.
We picked out the perfect Christmas tree, or as Carter insisted the "ickest one."
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We decorated that icky tree, which of course I was too busy getting carter to not drop the ornaments to take any pictures. We got lucky and only broke one in the entire hour it took to put up the tree!
Carter also got to help put up the lights with daddy and the BIG Santa in the front yard.
We attended the Annual Ensrude Christmas Cookie Party, and Carter had a blast! he loved putting the icing on the cookies (and eating the icing too), and of course we can't forget about the Sprinkles!! Oh the sprinkles, he loved every second of decorating!! Plus, he got to see his second cousin Asher (who he adores)! Carter loved decorating all the cookies at the cookie party so much that I got a hold of the wonderful cookie recipe from my cousin Jay, and made a ton of cookies for Carter and I to decorate at home- I have a feeling this will be our special tradition!!
We attended many holiday parties, including the Cutelli Christmas and the Harris Christmas. These are both very close family friends of the Schmidts, and every year we get together and celebrate the holidays with good food, and lots of holiday cocktails/wine, and of course, the good company of the families! Needless to say with the hustle bustle of two kids I did not take one picture at these events. I may have been concentrating on enjoying the cocktails instead of embracing the camera.
We went on our First train ride, the Polar Express (blogpost to follow), with the Hornsey family in Branson, MO. It was a blast and a nice little weekend getaway. We saw Santa on this train ride and even though Carter wouldn't let Santa hold him, he did stand next to him while I held him.
We attended Christmas at my Grandma Wilma's and Carter got to play with the many extended cousins on that side!
And of course we attended Christmas Mass, which Carter and Mason did a great job at! We only had to get up once for about ten minutes to take a little break!
We ended the holiday season by wrapping it up on Christmas Eve at my mom's house with my side of the family, and Christmas day at Michael's parents house with his side of the family!
The best part of the whole holiday season was Christmas morning! We for once (thanks Mom) did not have to rush around so that we could get over to my mom's. Instead we woke up, got some mimosas and coffee, and took our time opening presents as a family of four! Carter loved everything Santa brought, and he loved everything Santa brought for Mason, since Mason was too busy eating his breakfast to take notice!
It was nice being home with my boys and just enjoying the Christmas morning. It brought tears to my eye watching Carter really get into the present opening, and awwing over every present! He has no idea that those things all cost money and that there are kids without presents. He is too little to understand that not every family can provide for their families like we can, and I feel so blessed that we are able to give our kids presents at Christmas time. While at the same time it also makes me sad that there are so many children without. Our kids are overly spoiled by our families around the holidays, and I hope that one day our kiddos will understand that it is a privilege to receive so many gifts, and not an expectation. Next year I think I like this idea from a fellow mommy about presents at Christmas time.
Merry Christmas All and Happy Holidays
Till next time
J
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