Well, this is awkward. Nothing like blogging about Christmas now that it’s practically summer, huh? I seriously never get behind like this! I would just skip it all together, but I get these posts printed into blog books and it’s basically our family’s journal, so here we go.
Christmas 2015 was definitely bittersweet. This is our FAVORITE time of year for many reasons, mostly because we are so thankful to be celebrating the birth of our Savior! It’s such a sweet time to meditate on the true reason for the season. Jase was old enough to somewhat “get it” this year, so we made a big deal about it being Jesus’ birthday and whipped out our Little People manger scene every night while we read from Luke 2.
Some things made it not really “feel” like Christmas though. The warm weather kinda threw us for a loop. (It felt a little weird to be wearing capri workout pants and still sweating… in December.) And unfortunately our family was going through some tough stuff this year. For one thing, it was our first Christmas without Donna. She loved to spoil all of us with gifts and always went above and beyond to make it extra special. I couldn’t help but feel sad thinking about my boys growing up without Grandma around for Christmas(all the time, of course, but it seems tougher at holidays) and I just really missed her this year. It just stinks thinking about what she is going to miss out on. So for those of you with mother-in-laws…even if they drive you crazy sometimes…I hope you are thankful for them and let them know you appreciate them. (After all, the birthed and raised that wonderful man you married. And if you have kids, it’s one more person who loves them.) Donna and I really got close after I had Jase, and I am so thankful for the encourager that she was to me during those two years especially.
Jimmy & Jade did a great job helping us keep everything as “normal” as possible and spoiled the boys with some cool gifts. We had our Christmas Eve tradition of Honey baked ham sandwiches at our house followed by opening presents. Jase lit up opening presents, and we loved having our sweet Kade with us this year! He is the happiest baby and was/is such a light. These boys are just pure JOY and we are so thankful for them. Christmas through the eyes of a child is just MAGICAL!!
We are still on the fence with the whole Santa deal & we don’t like a lot of toys anyway, so we let our family do the spoiling and stuck with “a need, a read, and a want” from us. I took way too many pictures (no such thing, right?), but they were SO stinkin cute on Christmas morning!
Kade’s 1st Christmas!! He loved eating the wrapping paper. Don’t you just want to squeeze him? He’s so stinkin sweet!
Butler Bros…love all these pics.
This was one of Jase’s Daddy’s favorite gifts (thanks Papa)! That Nerf gun is no joke…and I had about a million welts to prove it. (for the next two weeks) I’d take the hits every time to see these smiling faces, though. (And payback is coming, Daddio!)
We headed to my parents for Christmas breakfast and some games after we had our little family Christmas at home.
This was the best we could get for a family pic.
My mom does a phenomenal job putting all the meals together and planning special details to make everything memorable at our get-togethers. I hope my kids and grandkids feel that way about me. I love the traditions and how she makes something that takes so much effort appear so effortless.
I decided to mix it up this year and get dad some aftershave. (insert sarcasm. ) Seriously, I’ve been buying that for him since it first came out. He loves the element of surprise! Ha!
I also made everyone Shutterfly family calendars this year and got all the girls something from Rahab’s Rope- a ministry that supports rescuing women from sex trafficking in other countries. I tried to explain to the little girls a little bit about the ministry and why I chose those gifts. I also love that everything is unique and I specifically chose each item for every gal.
Jase LOVES playing with his cousins!
We had a blast playing the white elephant game and the minute-to-win-it games mom planned. And for the record,, the competitive Butler fam brought home the bacon. Me, Jon, & even Jase all dominated in the candy cane game. Still waitin on our trophies!
We took the boys home for a quick nap and then headed to Jon’s cousins for more yummy food, fellowship, and gift swapping. I forgot my camera (boo!) so no pics. I also accidentally left one of or swap gifts at home and felt SO terrible about it that I cried on the way home. (overly sensitive? sheesh.)
We really did make some sweet memories this year. SO thankful for family and for adding our precious Kade to the mix. Hope you all had a beautiful Christmas (5 months ago- ha!)celebrating our Savior’s birth and spending time making memories with your families.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” – Luke 2:10-11, 14
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