THE young FAMILY: Christmas!

This Christmas was a little different for me as it was my first one spent without my parents. My dad is having treatment for Lymphoma down in Arkansas and was not able to come home. It broke my heart to be separated from them at Christmas, but doing the treatment right away hopefully means many more Christmases together. But Christmas was still joyful and a time for us to be thankful. We were so fortunate to have Graham's family here to celebrate this special day with us!

A little pre-Christmas bath with bubble "Santa Beards."

Before Christmas service at Church

After Church the Sunday before Christmas, I got to take Carrie to see the Nutcracker at TPAC. I had not planned on taking her since we had done the "mini-Nutcracker" at Harpeth Hall, but when my sweet friend Caylan offered us tickets (she works for Nashville Ballet and has taught Carrie's ballet camps) we decided to give it a shot! I was worried she wouldn't make it through, but she did! She did great, probably in part to the fact that Caylan had told us we could come backstage and meet the ballerinas if she did make it! She loved the show, but backstage was magical to her.

Here she got to watch the Sugar Plum fairy practicing...

Meeting the Dew Drop fairy.

And then the Sugar Plum Fairy. She keeps telling me she wants to be her...not sure it is in our genes, but at least she is aiming high!

And meeting the Nutcracker Prince!

She got to see all the props and sit on Clara's couch and hold the actual Nutcracker which was neat.

Back at home, things were getting a little crazy with lots of time at home! This one does not have a lot of fashion sense at this point, but she sure is funny!

"Rockstar Girls"

Christmas Eve the family arrived and the festivities started! First stop was the Christmas Eve service at Church. It was so crowded the girls couldn't really see so keeping Hayes happy and still was a challenge! When it was very quiet, she actually shouted out "I wanna go home!" Hilarious. But we made it through. And then got to go to Uncle Jim and Aunt Becky's which Carrie loves and had been greatly anticipating! She loves that time with cousins.

Uncle Jim played Santa which they all loved!

Hayes got a ball toy that she had a blast with.

Carrie got a craft book which is perfect for her.

Playing with their new toys.

Sweet Neva who my children look up to and adore played her violin for us. She is incredible and my girls were mesmerized, especially Hayes. Neva was sweet enough to get down with her and let her touch it and check it out.

It was such a special and fun Christmas Eve and the girls were so happy. Carrie then decided she had to get home so she could be asleep so Santa would come. She was nervous he would skip us because she was up late!

Meanwhile, Santa got to work...

And then it was time to get them up and see what he brought...

Chocolate!

Stuff for American Girl...

Train Table has been a huge hit with both of them!

Palace Pet Salon...

E brought a Jake Pirate Ship!

And Papa brought matching nightgowns for her and her American Girl

My dad surprised us and had a beautiful portrait done of C. Meant so much and we love it!

We spent the day watching the girls enjoy their new toys. It was constant activity! Then it was time to all sit down for Christmas dinner! The girls loved being in the dining room with us at their own table.

Was a wonderful dinner and we were blessed to have Big join us!

And just like that, Christmas had come and gone again. And we were left savoring the precious time together and in gratitude of the baby born that came to rescue us.

Now it's back to Christmas break and lots of time to play at home! This one sure likes being a bird!