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

Counting down to Christmas

"The joy of Christmas, stays here inside us. Fills each and every heart with love..."
-Faith Hill, Where Are You Christmas

This Christmas season has been so busy, yet so joyous. We have spent the past few weekends on the road visiting friends and family and celebrating this Christmas season.

We headed to Charlotte this past Friday night for the Stutts Christmas party, and as always, had such a wonderful time.

Saturday, we were at my parent's house, and my mom and dad kept the girls for the afternoon while Sean and I finished up some Christmas shopping, sans kids. We really had a great day. We had a lunch date, shopped, had a coffee date at our old favorite spot, and really enjoyed the day. Thanks mom and dad!

Saturday night was my oldest and dearest friend's 30th birthday! Happy Happy Birthday, Carrie! We gathered at her parent's house then headed out on a party bus to celebrate. It was quite entertaining and we had such a good time. Carrie and I have been friends almost 25 years and she is such a special part of my life. Most of my memories include her!

Some of the girls at the party...

Sunday, we headed to Winston-Salem to celebrate Christmas with Sean's side of the family. We enjoyed a really nice brunch and the kids had a great time playing together. Three 5 year olds, a 2 year old and a one year old. It was busy, to say the least.

The girls pre-brunch...

We hit the road back to Columbia that afternoon, and both girls slept all 3 hours home. To say that they were pooped is an understatement. 

Sunday night, Sean and I put the girls down early and snuggled in to finish watching Family Man (which by the way, is a really great Christmas movie).

We have spent this week wrapping gifts, watching Christmas movies, and getting ready to hit the road again to celebrate the holidays.

Watching the girls excitement for Christmas this year, I am reminded of our Lord and Saviour, God's only son, who was born on this day. "Behold, the Lamb of God has come." May we believe in the magic of Christmas and not forget our Lord's birthday and the real meaning of this joyous season.

Christ is come, let all creation sing

God's own Son, oh hail the newborn King

The word made flesh, now dwells among us

Christ is come

-Big Daddy Weave, Christ Is Come 

Catch up!

Oh my. I am so behind on blogging. Life seems to be moving at such a fast pace and I'm doing everything I can to keep us swimming. With the addition to the holidays, it seems I'm bathing and tucking little ones in bed before I even know what's hit me and the day is over.

Saylor turned 13 months this past Saturday, so I am hoping to get a post up this week. She is trying her best to take off walking, and I am enjoying the last few moments of chasing a crawler and not a walker. She seems to be turning into a toddler overnight and it is breaking this momma's heart. They grow SO fast.

Chloe lost her first tooth and the tooth fairy paid a visit to our house (oh the excitement of a 5 year old over losing a tooth!).

Alex, our elf, has landed at our home and has been in to nightly mischief. Our milk has been turned red from magic Christmas powers, words have been spelled out in m&m's, letters have been left, and he has been finding fun hiding places each night.

I've been shopping, decorating and getting our house in the spirit. Sean and I have really enjoying the holidays this year and are looking forward to watching little faces light up on Christmas morning.

And a few pictures as we are enjoying the holidays around the Branch house...

Saylor's first Christmas

This Christmas seemed to creep up on us so quickly! Life with a newborn is flying by. Saylor and I spent the better part of December out Christmas shopping and gearing up for Christmas. 

We headed to Greensboro a few days before Christmas to be with my family. Santa came a day early at my mom's house and we enjoyed being all together. 

The girls pooped from present opening...

We stayed in town for my mom's annual Christmas Eve party, then headed back to Columbia around 8 that night to tuck the little girls into bed so Santa could come. 

Chloe woke up thrilled that it was Christmas morning and couldn't wait to see what Santa brought. 

She enjoyed every minute of the morning with all her new toys.

Saylor was thrilled, too... ha! She of course had no idea what was going on, but Santa didn't forget about her. 

Sean and I opening our gifts...

The girls looked precious is their matching pajamas and we enjoyed the smiling faces on Christmas morning.

Her first Christmas was wonderful. We even got a little snow to ring in the holiday. My parents came down that evening and we grilled out and enjoyed 2 Christmas movies. A wonderful way to end Christmas day.

Merry Christmas from our house to yours...