Christmas 2014 was another beautiful, family-filled memory to add to our memory banks.
True to tradition, we headed to Kewpee's, downtown, to enjoy lunch with most of the LaMacchia family. Noah proceeded to demolish his hamburger in approximately five minutes, which was the highlight of the meal. It is always nice to see the family when we can get together like that.
We got ourselves ready to attend Mass at 4:40pm. We prefer this mass time because it's easier to make this time with our kids. I love Christmas mass. I love the singing, the church's beautiful decorations, and having so many people packed into the church to listen to the Christmas message. It truly is a moving experience, and more times than not I find myself tearing up at some point in the mass. It takes me back to spending Christmas Eve at the candlelit service with my family in PA. I loved going to that service because it was so simple, yet so inviting. Christmas mass is now a close 'replacement' to those special memories I shared with my family. I am excited to have that with my kids now.
Christmas Eve night we made our way over to Aunt Virginia's house for her annual party. She had been having this party for over 40 years, although I'm not sure of the exact number of years. It is a special night and nice to see "the other side of the family". This party is complete with Santa coming to visit and have each child sit on his lap to receive a small gift. I think the parents and adults really get a kick out of this part! But none-the-less, it is a special time and I'm thankful to be a part of it.
Once we returned back home from Aunt Virginia's, we have jammies on and time to get ready for 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. John is surely loving reading this to our kids on Christmas Eve, just like it was done for him his entire childhood. I know he looks forward to this :)
After story time, comes making sure the cookies, milk, and carrots for Santa's reindeer are set out on the plate. This year we didn't have carrots, but we assured Hannah that Santa would probably share his cookies with them. It was enough to appease her.
Last but not least, added the final star to our Advent calendar. Both kids enjoyed adding the daily parts to the calendar (even though we were behind more times than not)
The final wrapping and official set-up completed as we finished just at the strike of midnight :)
John was a little kid on Christmas morning, he could not wait to wake up the kids and begin the day. We quick snapped a few pictures before unveiling the tree.
Hannah was so happy and couldn't believe her eyes!!
My favorite part is seeing the look in their eyes and the excitement when they see some of the things they asked Santa for. Christmas is truly magical through the eyes of a child.
Thankfully technology has evolved and we are able to "share" a little bit of Christmas day with my parents and family in PA. It will never get any easier to not be able to spend time with my family on Christmas, nor will it ever get easier not being able to have any part of this day with them. But I'm so thankful to have the technology to have a little piece of my heart there. We facetimed with the grandparents and great-grandparents MeMom and PopPop and they were able to see the kids open the gifts they shipped here for them. It was special to see my grandparents so happy to have a part of the kids day. There isn't a Christmas day that goes by when I don't sneak away to a separate room to have a little cry because of how hard it is to be apart from those you love. But it is in these memories, smiles, and laughs my family shares with my kids, that makes it worthwhile.
After the kids took short naps, we headed over to my in-laws to have dinner, open gifts, and spend time with John's parents, brother and sister-in-law, and sister. Once again, John & MaryLynn went over the top to prepare a delicious, Italian dinner complete with lasagna and prime rib. It truly was delicious, and the left-overs for days is an added bonus!
The kids had fun opening their gifts and seeing the exciting, new toys they could play with. We are very thankful for their generosity and the gifts we all received. And we are thankful to have such wonderful grandparents and family to share the holiday with.
Merry Christmas to everyone this year! May God bless you abundantly :)
