Christmas memories

Christmas came and went so quickly. After spending time in San Diego with Paul's family we headed home to celebrate with mine. We were all able to come together, under the same roof, for 10 whole days. It was 10 days packed with walks in the park, a trip to the city, get togethers with friends, treats, birthday celebrations, card games, driving around town in a 15 passenger van and lots of Christmas traditions. It was so relaxing and fun spending time together celebrating.

When Christmas morning came Paul and I were so excited to give Owen his gifts. We had each picked out something special for him. With Owen's new love for hiding under blankets and making forts I wanted to make him a tee pee. I made feathers out of fabric, a matching elephant pillow and some mustard pom pom's to go with it. He woke up to find it set up amongst the other packages under the tree, just like I envisioned. The rest of the morning he wanted to take all his presents and all of us in it. Paul picked out some soft dinosaur fabric he really wanted Owen to have a blanket made out of. One of Paul and Owen's favorite things to do together has been reading dinosaur books. Owen hasn't been attached to blankets or stuffed animals yet but Daddy knew he would love it! On Christmas morning he opened the blanket, wadded it up in his arms and crouched down on top of it to give it a big hug. He calls it his "deep-dee", I guess thats sounds like "blankie" to him. He likes to take it everywhere we go. It brought us so much joy to see him enjoy his gifts! He got so many fun things from everyone!

It seems like every Christmas theres always that one gift that makes all of us cry. This year it was when my Grandma opened a package from my sister and brother in law. As she pulled the frame out she got teared up before we could even see what she was looking at. It was a beautiful picture from our trip to the San Juan Islands this past summer. My Grandpa had always wanted to take her there. The bottom of the picture said, "Remembering you Grandpa. Friday Harbor, San Juan Island". We always miss him extra around the holidays.

One of the sweet memories I won't forget from this Christmas was when Owen first saw his stocking. We each have a homemade stocking, sewn in different fabrics, made with love by each other. Last year my Mom and I made Owen's. Paul and I picked a fabric with a manger, Mary and Joseph, Baby Jesus and some sheep scattered around on hills. Owen has a Little People Nativity that we get out at Christmas with all the same characters. We would always ask him, "where is baby Jesus?", and he would bring us the baby out of the manger. When he first saw his stocking he looked closely at the picture and then pointed to the baby in the manger and said, "Baby Jesus!" It was the sweetest thing! 

What is a memory you don't want to forget from the holidays?