Enjoying the Christmas-y Things

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This week has pretty much been an all out celebration… you know, between the deep-cleaning for a party that’s happening in um, thirty minutes. And kind of like the time we took an entire week to commemorate the day we said “I do” for the rest of our lives, Chris and I decided to forgo any gifts under the tree this year and opt for a weeklong party. PA-RUM-PUM-PUM-PUM, ya’ll.

So I’ve still been wrapping all week, but not for him, no that would be against the rules. And all the wrapping and sorting and Christmas card writing and boxes delivered to the house everyday, it’s a freakin’ party. And I’m dancing on the counters.

Here goes… a little of what we’ve been enjoying this week, all the Christmasness that surrounds us right here, right now.

The Untraditional Christmas:
We took advantage of a special Florida resident rate at a nearby resort to enjoy this Christmas week and spent two beautiful days and a glorious night at the beach.

It was heaven. And like I mentioned before, I think I saw some skin shimmering. (Twilight peeps, you know exactly what I mean.)

The sky couldn’t help but show off.

Outdoor Entertainment:
While I painted some crafts outside, a nearby tree offered itself as a playground for my littlest.

A New Hobby:
And maybe, just maybe a Christmas present wrapped up in the form of lessons come the new year.
Daddy has taken her twice now, and then once again where they dragged me onto the smooth, slick surface of the ice and we hustled along to “Baby It’s Cold Outside” while girls just older than my own spun around and axel jumped to their routine. And my little one? She loves it. She wants more of it.

Their kisses slay me.

Little man loves watching from the sideline.

Quiet Play:
I love watching him learn and discover.

Look to the right, a box! We’ve been getting a slew everyday from loved ones, and we’re loving it!

Christmas Parade:
Something we’ve never experienced before. Mostly because we’d be standing in a foot or more of snow, turning blue and hardening into human icicles if we stayed outdoors in one place that long. But now that we’ve moved to Florida? It’s just something new and different to enjoy, a new way to experience the Holiday season while we get over missing the crunch of white under our boots.

Ahem, short skirts on little girls.

I think Brayden shared my feelings… the look says it all.

Oh, why, hello there Santa.

Old Traditions with New Friends:
I missed having my sister-in-law, Crystal, around for our annual Christmas card night, it was our thing. But I kept the tradition alive and invited our nearby friends to enjoy some of our pumpkin spice salted caramel hot chocolate, a crackling fire, watch The Holiday and address (and color and stamp) our envelopes.

Early Family Christmas:
Our Christmas week kicked off with my parents from Michigan staying with us and an early family party with the kids.

“I hidin’,” he says. I die. Then get up again for the rest of the presents.

Papa is the best present-opener. Ever.

Mail:
This is the absolute best time of year to check the mail! A flush of anticipation floods through me when it arrives and this year I had to find a new way to display my favorite things… Christmas cards. Enter more twine and mini clothes pins…

Our White Christmas:
This paradigm shift is still new to me, thus the “white sugared sand beach instead of the silent cloak of snowfall for Christmas” playlist set on repeat.