Christmas time brought so much joy to our family this year. 2019 has brought so many wonderful things into our lives and this holiday season did not disappoint. Out first Christmas in our new home was nothing short of magical.
Teaching our girls the true meaning of Christmas is my favorite part. The ultimate blessing is watching them live out the true meaning of the holiday.
Topping our list of favorite Christmas traditions include cookie and sauce making at Mimi and Papa’s house, P.F. Chang’s calm before the storm dinner, Christmas Eve mass followed by a new tradition, a quiet Christmas morning at home leading into a day filled with visits to our parents’ houses. The days were filled with so much love, laughter and happiness, just the way they should be. Looking back over the past week brings so much joy to me. I look forward to sharing our Christmas adventures with you.
Christmas traditions began with lots of love baking cookies and making sauce.
We sure love our Gigi.
Family dinner on the 23rd began over 13 years ago and it has become one of our favorite nights of the year. It all began with a quiet dinner just the five of us (my parents, sister and brother), but has quickly grown into so much more. My mom wanted a quiet night before all the excitement and that’s just what this night has given us year after year. One may call it the calm before the storm.
This year was the start of a new and wonderful tradition. Instead of going out to dinner after Christmas Eve mass we decided to host dinner at our house. We planned on ordering food, but last minute it didn’t work out (don’t ask) and you know what it actually turned out better than expected. I truly believe this is the way it was meant to be. With the last minute change, the six of us went to Costco, on the 23rd. We bought everything needed to cook the “perfect” meal. Steve decided he was going to roast his first ever beef tenderloin, on Christmas Eve of all nights. You know what it was amazing, quickly becoming our favorite meal of the season. We truly couldn’t have asked for a better evening. Christmas Eve tradition in the making. I cannot wait till next year.
Costco shopping right before Christmas with all of my loves may have to take place year after year. It was quite the adventure and so much fun. I always cherish these moments with my girls, even if Sophia was sooo not into my picture taking skills. Is she ever these days? Too cool for me.
Spending Christmas Eve with those we love brings us so much joy. Happiness is this right here…
Watching the joy our girls had while giving gifts to their sisters is what Christmas is all about. The joy of giving is pure love.
Christmas morning was every bit as magical as it should be. We enjoyed our time together as a family.
As we were enjoying our time together Isabella looked at me and said “Mama I love that we are simply spending time together, doing nothing but being together”. That was the ultimate Christmas morning. My heart is full and happy.
The true meaning of Christmas is not what’s underneath the tree, but those that surround it.
Thank you for sharing in my joy throughout this joyous season. I truly appreciate each and every one of you. Remember to hug your loved ones a little more each and every day.
