Christmas catch up, part 2

Christmas Eve, we headed back to Columbia to be home for Santa's arrival. We left cookies and milk out and sprinkled reindeer food in the front yard. Alex, our elf, made his final appearance of the year, as he prepared to head back to the North Pole until next Christmas.

Santa left a few goodies for the girls...

The fire truck my parents gave Baker found a cozy spot under our tree...

Christmas morning...

Saylor may have loved the box more than what was inside :)

Hubs cooking us up a Christmas morning breakfast...

We relaxed during the day and then prepared for Christmas dinner. My parents arrived that evening and we enjoyed having both families together.

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Christmas catch up, part 1

As I look back over the pictures of Christmas, I am soaking in all the magic. The smiles, the moments. Some of which happened between the walls of our own little home in Columbia. Others which happened in my parent's home while we were visiting throughout the holidays. And others which happened, as Sean and I shared giggles over Christmas music in the car during our various travels.

The joy of Christmas really does stay with us. The decorations are put away (with the exception of a few icicle lights hanging outside - read: my husband doesn't love heights and ladders, ha). All gifts have been opened and are now on their way to being well used. My new boots have already been broken in and spilled on (such is life with littles). But the magic... the magic lingers. And I love that.

My parent's host a Christmas Eve party at their house every year. I think this was year #11, and it happens to be something I always look forward to. This year, it was on Christmas Eve "Eve." With us living 3 hours away, this worked so perfect for us. We wanted to be home Christmas Eve night to see what Santa brought the girls, so we were able to spend a few days pre-Christmas with my family in NC.

Christmas Eve Eve, in pictures...

Saylor was super sick with a virus, so she spent most of the holiday with a fever, sleeping off the sickness. However, she did make a short appearance in pajamas at the party...

Baker family Christmas tradition... Opening pajamas on Christmas Eve. This year, the pajamas took a turn for the better, in my opinion, but if you ask my brothers and husband, probably for the worst, ha! We bring to you, sock monkey pajamas, in all their footed glory...

We woke up Christmas Eve morning to a visit from Santa (or one of his little elves)....

It was a wonderful few days and we thoroughly enjoyed spending time with our families. Happy Christmas, part one... from our house to yours. 

It has been a whirlwind around here, but I am happy to say, life seems to be slowing down, thus giving me the opportunity to let it all sink in and reflect. The decorations have been taken down and I am left with the after Christmas emptiness. The empty spot where the tree sits. The undone mantels and railings. The leftover glitter in every single corner of our home. But I'm also left with a renewed sense of love and family. A renewed sense of what's really important. That days can be long, but the years are short. That love and family are really all that matters. That as we embark on a new year, I am reminded to enjoy the small things, the small moments. To be more patient. To laugh more. To love harder. To hug those we love a little bit tighter.

The holidays were truly wonderful this year. We loved being surrounded by laughter and love of family for weekends on end. We spent Christmas in both North and South Carolina. We visited with all of those we love, making fun new memories, building on old traditions and soaking in the true spirit of Christmas.

I have quite a few posts to get done, and am hoping to have them up this week. Until then, i'll leave you with this, brought to you by red sock monkey footed pajamas...

Baker Family Christmas, 2011



From our house to yours...

Merry Christmas from the Branch Family

2011

I will never forget.

I was one of the few people that didn't know right away. I didn't watch the first or second plane hit live. I had no idea until almost 3 hours later.

I was a sophomore at Appalachian State and had a world history exam that day. I headed to the library very early that morning and found a quiet, back corner to study. I stayed in that corner until my exam at 11am, thus completely unaware of the morning's events. As I headed into class, I heard the buzzing of other students, tears, and the unknowns. Our professor came in and cancelled our class and sent us all on our way.

I remember so vividly being confused. I walked across campus back to where I lived with my sorority, and walked in to a lobby full of very scared girls. And there we sat. All day. Long into the evening. Staring at the images. Scared, unsure, praying, and making phone calls to everyone we loved.

It is a day burned deep into my memory. And today, the emotions I felt were raw. They were real. They stirred inside me and churned at my core. At first I couldn't pin point what it was that brought the emotions back so fierce and then it hit me. I am a mom. 10 years ago, I wasn't, and although it affected me deeply, it affected me even deeper today. I sat in church this morning, surrounded by local service men and women in uniforms, singing Amazing Grace, and watching the images on the screen, and my heart broke in two. It's not just about me anymore. I have littles to protect. Littles who will grow up in this same world that I did. How do we protect them? How do we teach them about this world? The good, the bad, and even the evil.

I was reminded of our mighty Lord. He was there in 2001. He was in the towers that morning. At the pentagon. On United 93. He was with all of us, as we watched the images and held on a little tighter to those around us. He was there. And today, He was there. Wrapping His arms around each of us as we prayed and sang of his grace and mercy.

And that's what we teach our littles. About life. About love. About holding on to those we love a little tighter. About the way our nation joined together and became more united that day. About the brave men and women who gave their life for people like us. And about a God who never leaves us, despite it all.

I am proud to be an American.

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine

- Amazing Grace (my chains are gone) 

Happy 2011...

We had a great New Years... so relaxing and low key, right up our alley! :) We headed to my parents lake house Thursday evening and spent a great weekend with family and friends. Courtney and Rob joined us for the weekend and it was so great to spend time with such an old and dear friend.

Saylor loved Court and Rob too!

We played lots of corn hole, sat by the fire, saw a beautiful sunset, watched movies, drank wine and enjoyed some down time! We were such party animals, we managed to stay up until 12:07am  after watching the ball drop :)!

The whole group...

Saylor had a great weekend, as well. She laughed with her Shu Shu, slept like a charm and snuggled with everyone :)

Say Say even gave everyone a precious, Happy New Year smile, as we were leaving...

Here's to 2011... may it be filled with infectious laughter, the upmost joy, hope, faith as big as mountains, smiles as wide as the seas and beautiful sunsets to end each day...

"Cheers to a new year, and another chance to get it all right." - Oprah