Yes, Christmas really HAPPENED..... (2013 Christmas Season .... Part 3)

Three weeks ago seems like for-EVER ago. Have we been busy? Well sure. When is Life ever *not* busy? Never. That's the same for everyone: life is always busy. And in my desperate little way of trying to prioritize my time in my life, a few blog posts didn't happen in as timely a manner as I would have liked them to be in my imagined perfect little world.

I guess I'm telling you that this catch-up post is coming late because we were busy living. Busy making memories. Busy with our wonderful extended families. Busy driving long hours. Busy with heartfelt goodbyes.

Is life busy? You bet it is. It's better than the alternative.

So, if you missed it, the earlier 2013 Christmas Season posts are here, and here. With additional posts on the cookie exchange, and the Mr. Christmas novelty here.

Of course, there were other things that filled our time this Christmas, which are not included in the photos. Alys and I participated in our ward's annual Music Fireside -- so much talent there. Emma had a party at preschool, we all missed Darcie's band concert (including Darcie!) because she was sick. We've actually all gotten sick this season, and some of us have been sick twice. Each of the kids got their traditional individual shopping night with Mom and Dad, which included dinner out with us as well -- that's a tradition that we all love to stick with.

This brings me to our Christmas Eve family gathering. I am so thankful for the wonderful family that we have that surround us and fill our hearts with love. I realize how very blessed we are and I have so much gratitude in my heart!  And I want you to know that Christmas really did happen -- I'm just now getting to blog about it. Brace yourselves......


Christmas Eve HAPPENED. The family nativity this year happened. It happened because we had enough family members to take all the major parts -- with adults being a part of it. It happened in a more casual way -- costumes weren't a huge focus.

 (Three angels, a shepherd, Mary and Joseph)

 

Those crazy kids.....

 

It happened in a tender moment with Joseph and Mary:

 

 

(I'm so bummed that it turned out blurry! I can't re-create that.)

 Christmas Eve happened with adults taking some of the parts. Hence, our three "wise" ones:

 

 

Christmas Eve music happened:

 

 

(playing chimes has become a big tradition for us)

 

 

Christmas Eve happened because Grandma (Todd's mom) is the wonderful driving force behind it, that makes it happen. I'm not sure what the family would do if she weren't behind the scenes, organizing, assigning, reminding, encouraging, and loving.

 

Christmas Eve FOOD happened.

In a big way:

 

Oh my goodness -- there isn't even all the food on that table. We ate well! So thankful for the blessing of having plentiful good food for our families.

 

The new-tradition of a Christmas Eve Blanket Fort happened:

 

 

Hint: Blanket forts work best as sheet forts -- less weight. And big binder clips from Staples are a fort-builder's best friend. Plus a few hand weights to anchor the torch light in the center. Ok, our secret's out. Big thanks to Darcie for helping in the construction phase. This fort lasted so well, they slept in there for 3 days straight, before we finally took it down to watch TV.

 

That's really Alyssa behind Emma, but it's hard to tell under the blankets. She may have already been asleep.

 

Christmas morning HAPPENED.

 

 

 

I've actually been reflecting lately on the blessing of having the littlest Huffaker in our family. She brings such a light to us, and to me, in particular. More on that in another post. Emma was so excited for Christmas Morning.... and I'm so happy that her big siblings could help create the wonder and joy for her. They're pretty awesome as well.

 

Darcie can make even winter snow boots seem like the best gift in the world!

 

Our two college-bound students got stuff that would help them on their way, both for school and for their apartments.

 

Christmas beauty happened! Todd brought home this gorgeous amaryllis that was poised to break into bloom -- I think I want more next year!!

 

Christmas morning homemade cinnamon rolls HAPPENED. I actually used a different recipe than I have in the past, and wasn't impressed with it. Next year -- stick with the tried-and-true. Live and learn, and move on.

 

 

Of course, anything is better when you put a little glaze on it. Vanilla Glaze definitely happened here!

 

Christmas dinner happened. It was so nice to have our far-flung Huffaker relatives here for the holiday. Who needs to bother with food photos, when you have these wonderful people around? This is kind of the "second generation" of cousins -- the ones who are quite a bit younger than the "first generation" of cousins...

Siblings happened..... I love this!

Amazing-ness HAPPENED:

Real smiles happened...

Silliness and craziness happened.....

So, yes. Christmas HAPPENED. I treasure this time with family -- maybe because it happens infrequently. I wouldn't trade it for anything. This year was the "other year" of "every other year" when all the Huffakers gather. So it will be two years until it happens again. That's reason enough to treasure it.