Christmas Wish

"I wish for a white Christmas."

Thank you Santa!

We got 5 inches, which is pretty good for being down by the river...

and, even better, for the snow to arrive on Christmas day.

Merry Christmas!

Snow, Snow, Snow!...

...It won't be long before we'll all be there with snow...

I've been singing this classic song from White Christmas all week!

There's nothing like a timely dose of snow to get into the holiday spirit!  We got a bunch last week.  Schools were closed for a few days and so Jonah helped me decorate our Christmas tree.  Ezra is more of an "un-decorator"---so there's a bit of ornament strategy involved.  Jesse and I were commenting that it's kind of like having a kitty cat around.

I was able to cross country ski from home on the first day before they plowed the roads.

It was lovely!

Ezra is a snow maniac.  

He spent the day standing by the window laughing at the snowflakes falling.  And later, was perfectly happy getting iced up as I towed him around the block.

Jesse is recovering from a concussion and a couple fractured ribs from a downhill ski fall.  He was up on the mountain before this most recent storm.  He clipped a barely hidden rock on the slopes and went down hard.  Fortunately, he was wearing a helmet.  Jesse took Jonah sledding a few times, but otherwise, has been trying to take it easy.

Jonah played outside with our neighbors for HOURS.  I remember playing in the snow for hours as kid too...but I would leave waddling in layers of thick wool and come back damp and frozen.  I remember my Mom making custom mittens for us as kids because there weren't warm, waterproof, options available at the time...especially ones designed to sand up to hours of play time.  Jonah has no idea how privileged he is.

Super Snowman!

It was so cold, that we couldn't build a snowman until several days later once things began to warm up enough to get snow to stick.

Ezra, being adorable.

Hey, Mom!

Pretty cool Snow Throne.

The holiday party for Jesse's company was planned for right in the thick of this snowy weather.  My Dad watched the boys and we had a great night away.

The drive home was beautiful.

xo

-c

White Christmas

Dreaming of a White Christmas worked!   For a week, we were lucky to wake up to fresh snow almost daily.  I hope you had a lovely holiday.  Here are a few favorite photos from our Christmas.

Even though it is blurry, I love this sweet moment.

Jonah was very helpful in decorating the tree this year.
He enthusiastically unwrapped every ornament and squealed with every reveal.

Our tree decorations are eclectic and personal.  Original creations by my grand parents, our mothers, Jesse, me, the boys, and friends.  Also mixed in are some vintage ornaments handed down from our families and a few purchased ones to commemorate important events and travels.

Ezra has loved admiring the tree.

Jonah sat on Santa's lap for the first time this season.
Every year the local Volunteer Fire Department decorates their fire trucks with Christmas lights and parades them through town inviting residents to come see Santa at the Park that evening.
There are always gifts for the kids, fire pits for warming, free cocoa and pizza, carolers, and Santa.
Real snow underfoot this year too!
I love this charming tradition in our town.

This was Jonah's first time telling Santa his wish list....we had not discussed this, so I had no idea what he would say, if anything at all.
JONAH: I would like 10 animals that I can play with:
(slowly counting on his fingers) One Penguin, One Diving Whale, One Cheetah...
(pause) One Cheetah....
SANTA: It sounds like you want the whole zoo!
JONAH: Yes!
SANTA:  Merry Christmas!
message received

Jonah loved all the holiday traditions.  I think we made cookies three different times!

And enjoyed eating them too.  Nanna made the Santa plate and our matching Cookie Jar.

Here's a throwback photo of Jonah's first Christmas wearing his stocking that Great-grandma Nanna knit.  Jonah really likes this photo and every year wants to put his stocking on again.

It's getting smaller!  I call this photo, Merry Bootie

I couldn't resist getting the boys matching jammies when they were on sale last spring.

Glad I did.  They are super sweet.

Christmas morning was nice and quiet.  We slept in until 8.
Jonah opened his stocking in our bed and then we moved to the living room for the rest.
Jonah selects "crazy socks" every year for his Daddy to wear to work.  These were wrapped by Jonah in some of his own artwork.  Notice the small animals on the side table....Santa delivered 10 to Jonah.

Undoubtedly, the best part of the holidays are the moments shared with family.
We were fortunate to have all the cousins together!
From left: Baby Esther (2 mo.), Troy (7), Mario (4), Ezra (20 mo.), Jonah (4), Alessandra (5)
They had so much fun!

           Photo Credit: Stephanie

My Mom and Richard did a wonderful job of hosting.
Thank you!  We had a great time.
xo

Silent Night

This is our first Christmas home as a family of three. 

When I was a little girl, my parents would sing Silent Night to each of us as they tucked us in by candlelight on Christmas Eve.  Tonight we continued the tradition with sweet Jonah.

May your holiday be warm and filled with love.

Merry Christmas from our family!