Christmas 2018

Christmas was quiet this year.  We stayed in the Valley, and no one came to visit us.  We were just three, the babies still growing away inside my belly.  Next year, when the children out-number the parents, I suspect quiet is a word that will be missing from our description of Christmas.

Christmas was exciting this year.  For the first time. Katy understood all things Christmas.  She asked for the same gift for six weeks straight (la muñeca en que puedes poner make-up), she wrote a letter to santa, and she persistently asked to decorate Christmas cookies.  She loved counting down to Christmas day using the Advent calendar Gigi made for us.  On Christmas eve, she had so many technical questions about Santa that it took her an hour to fall asleep (How will he know which stocking is mine?  Where will he go after our house?  How far away is he?).

Christmas was slow this year.  We started opening gifts before 9 a.m. and didn't finish until 2 p.m.  We didn't have five hours worth of gifts.  We stopped for breakfast.  We stopped for phone calls from loved ones.  We stopped when Katy was absorbed in a new toy.  We took our time, we lazed about, and we enjoyed the day.

Christmas was spent at home this year.  The day after Christmas, we ate lunch with our former McAllen neighbors.  Upon seeing our former home across the street, we weren't struck with feelings of longing or loss.  Instead, we felt grateful for what we now have instead.  This confirmed our feeling that we are finally feeling settled into the new house and feeling at home.

Katy was excited to decorate the Christmas tree.

One of several Christmas crafts. 

Cookie-decorating event at Chick-Fil-A

Finally decorating Christmas cookies at home. 

Mom enjoyed cookie decorating too!

Merry Christmas!

Decorating cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. 

Cookies and Egg Nog for Santa.  Katy in her new Christmas pajamas.

Santa came through.  The make-up doll. 

Stopping to play with the new toys while others wait under the tree. 

So cute!