It seems surreal that Christmas is over and we’re getting ready to go into a new year. Unfortunately, it didn’t feel like Christmas to me this year. My heart just wasn’t in it. I don’t know if it’s because of the almost 70 degree weather we’ve been having, the fact that I’ve been completely exhausted since the beginning of the school year, or if it’s because this is our first Christmas without our papaw. Maybe it’s a combination of all three.

Dispite not being in the Christmas spirit, there were a lot of things that made me happy this Christmas season. Traditions are my absolute favorite and I hope our kids remember them forever. We had our Grinch night and Gingerbread night, but this year we also had Polar Express night. Christmas pajamas, hot cocoa, and train tickets made the night extra special. We even talked about having a ‘Minivan Express’ next year. Each person will get a ticket to load the van and we will drive around with hot chocolate and popcorn looking at Christmas lights. We even talked about decorating the inside of the van and the possibility of surprising each kid with a friend. For example, we will send their friends a ticket and we will stop by their house for them to load the “train” and surprise our own kiddos.

Christmas baking with Kylan while we listened to Christmas music was one of my favorite memories we made this year. This year we made oreo balls for the first time and WOW! We were all wishing we had made more of them, but now we know for next year. HIGHLY recommend.

This year I kept our decor pretty minimal. The only new things I purchased this year were these two things from Target. They added the perfect touch of Christmas to our home.

Growing up, my mamaw always set up her Christmas village. When she passed away when I was nine years old, it was one of the things I missed most every Christmas. I’m very “plain Jane” when it comes to decor so mine isn’t anything fancy like hers used to be, but I love these simple white houses. Every year I set them up it reminds me of her Christmas village.

I’m always so disappointed when I go back and look through my phone, only to see that I didn’t get any good pictures when the kids opened their presents. As disappointing as it is, I try to look on the bright side. I didn’t get many pictures, but I was completely present and in the moment with my family. That is what makes my heart the happiest. We did things a little different this year. Last Christmas we didn’t have any plans to see our families due to social distancing, but we soaked in every minute of the holidays being at home. We loved the idea of not having anywhere to go or anything to do. In years prior, we would go to my mom’s on Christmas Eve, come home and open gifts, then wake up early on Christmas Day and get ready to go to Jordan’s moms by noon. We always felt so rushed and like we didn’t have much ‘us’ time. This year my mom offered to do her dinner the day before Christmas Eve instead so we could have a full day at home and it was a game changer.

We had a slow Christmas Eve and it was perfect. We woke up and had our North Pole Breakfast. We stayed in our Christmas jammies, watched Christmas movies all day, and even napped. For dinner we had our traditional ham rolls and meatballs with some snacks like cheese and crackers, nuts, etc.

That evening we opened presents.

I got one picture on Christmas morning. One. Picture.

After everyone opened their presents and emptied their stockings, I made sticky buns for breakfast. We just started that tradition last Christmas, but they’re worthy of being made every single year. They’re delicious!

We went to Jordan’s parents at noon. We ate and then opened gifts. I love this first photo so much because if you look closely, you can see Jordan’s niece and nephew smiling so big. It makes my heart so happy.

How did you spend the holidays?