The Merriest of Days

I can scarcely believe it's over. I dream about Christmas all year long but it's not so much about the big day itself, but more about the spirit and coziness of the weeks before. It all passes too quickly and I'm already thinking about what I can do differently next year to slow it down and squeeze every moment of joy out of the season.

I realized I never shared our outside decorations. My guy made this tree for me out of scrap wood and I love that he doesn't even bat an eye at my quirky requests. He gets me in a way no other person in this world ever has.

Christmas Eve was a blur of cookie baking, movie watching, Santa coming down the street on a fire engine, A Christmas Story, Daddy reading The Night Before Christmas, the jammie fairy and everyone opening a single gift. Three of us opened a book and one of us opened coffee imported from his favorite coffee shop in Saugatuck, MI.

Our Christmas morning started at 4:51. That is what time these two fools started doing their Buddy the Elf impressions at the top of their lungs and piling on top of us in bed. It's impossible to be mad in the presence of such enthusiasm. Although I tried a little bit. Santa brought Emma this big tote bag filled with books. The only thing that excites that girl more than books is the idea of endless bookshelves to fill up with books! I'm telling you, we have a future writer or librarian or editor on our hands.

Santa brought Maddie the very coziest throw made by the elves at West Elm. Also, Daddy's girl alert. She gave us no wish list this year. She just requested cozy house stuff. That girl likes to feather her nest like no other 21 year old college student you've ever met. I promise you my first apartment was nowhere near that cute.

This is what you get when you make Emmy wait to open her first present until after the chocolate croissants are in the oven.

 Her mock pouting disappeared when she opened her first present. Every girl needs a pirate hat. I love this blurry, beautiful shot, with joy and sassyness beaming from those big brown eyes. This hat stayed on her all day. She is probably sleeping in it. I don't know if I've ever mentioned that Em loves dress up and costumes.

And just like that we are left with the memories of a beautiful Christmas spent with the people we love most in the world. I spent all of yesterday just feeling so spoiled and loved and full to overflowing with gratitude for this life I'm living.