The holidays with a 4 and 6 year old boy have got to be just about the sweetest thing ever. Yes, life is busy and chaotic, but there’s something about a child fully believing in the magic of Christmas that makes you want to slow down and enjoy every little moment. I love all the traditions that we’ve created with the boys that they now have begun to remember and look forward to. I love that we are now closer to extended family so we can share these moments with them. I even have started to love that freakin’ Elf on the Shelf. (Well, I love how much my kids love it!) Here are some pictures from the last month of all our festivities and adventures.
Decorating- this took forever this year…especially with the kids “helping.”
Chris’s handiwork on the fireplace looked so pretty with Christmas decorations.
My aunt gave me this hutch this year and it was my favorite spot during the holidays because of how pretty the Nativity looked on it!
Under the Christmas tree- any cat’s favorite spot.
Watching Rudolph, decorating the tree, reading Christmas books- all the holiday magic at once.
Putting up our Gator ornaments in the dining room. Look how nicely I ironed our table cloth. Ha!
That’s it. Stare at the T.V. while putting on ornaments. No big deal…I’m going to re-arrange them all when you go to bed anyways!
The Elf…man, did my kids love looking for her every morning.
Fun traditions…
Picking out our Christmas tree at our church tree lot.
Nolan’s first time on a horse at our neighborhood’s annual Winter Fest.
Neighborhood’s Winter Fest…Brady’s face! lol
Our family’s Christmas party at my Aunt Claudia’s beach condo.
Brady hard at work helping to build a sandman.
Nolan focusing so hard to paint our thank you cards for our annual St. Jude fundraiser.
Making Christmas cards for classmates. This was the first year Nolan could write his name on all the cards!
Decorating Gingerbread houses. AKA icing/candy eating game.
“Baking” Christmas cookies. Thank you Pillsbury! (When you’re busy, some things have to go. Homemade cookies weren’t happening this year.)
One cookie for Santa, four for me.
Nolan’s Pre-School Christmas pageant. Look at his little nervous face! But, he rocked it!
I could EAT him up!
Using up our Sea World passes before they expired. The boys love it there.
Nolan’s class party. I am going to miss these sweet parties with crafts and cookie decorating SO much! Sidenote: Why is his stuffed dolphin at the party? Who knows!
Celebrating Brady’s half birthday. 6 and a half!
Christmas week events…
My dad and Pat came to town before Christmas and we enjoyed some really warm Florida temps!
On our way to Christmas Eve service.Â
My boys walking into church.
That time Nolan “accidentally” took the whole box of candy canes when the pastor was handing them out.Â
Turns out I bought ALL of the cheese at Publix for the holidays. Oops.
Keeping our pizza on Christmas Eve tradition alive!
We made Ina Garten’s “Easy Sticky Buns” for Christmas morning. How easy is that?
Brady’s Christmas theme- weaponry and adventure. Sigh.Â
You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.Â
Chris being every dad on Christmas, assembling toys.
After Christmas moments…
Just being goofy
Two of my college besties came to visit us!
Gator girl kiddos are the cutest!
Cute couple alert! Brady was in love with my friend, Lucila.
Ikea during the holidays….whoa.
A few lazy moments here and there. (She’s not allowed on the furniture. Oops.)
Chris loves making pasta with the boys when he has time off!
Chris loves eating pasta all the time.Â
New year’s eve dinner. Who’s ready for 2018 and carbs?!
Daily chaos and weird stuff going on.Â
A little NYE apple juice toast/chug.
It got COLD in Florida!
The holidays did not disappoint this year- I only wish they could have lasted a little longer. Now onto those New Year’s resolutions- just as soon as we finish all the pasta leftovers.
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