Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas - in FLORIDA

We decided to stay in Florida for Christmas this year, and while I knew it would be strange not being in Iowa (Ronnie and I have spent every Christmas together in Iowa since 2012) but we had a blast here this year! 

The weather was strange to me..it was in the mid-80s, but beyond that the feeling of Christmas was in our hearts and we had an amazing holiday together.  Steph, Jimmy and Ellie came down from DC which was GREAT!  So much fun to get to spend some time with them! 

We went to 4pm Mass and then back to our house on Christmas Eve for dinner. 

Hi Mom - I found Elfie!

Reese LOVED giving Ellie kissies and getting up close and personal every chance she got.  

Christmas morning we opened gifts... welcome to having small children.  I have ONE photo of this madness and it's  this one.  How did this happen?????  There were so many gifts, so much wrapping and so much excitement.  And I'm left with one photo of one empty box without either of my children looking.  

 We spent Christmas Day at Grandma and Grandpa Merrills.  Look at all these gifts!!!!  We had a great day celebrating Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Merrill, Great Grandma Merrill, Steph, Jimmy and Ellie.  So special --- with such special people.

Patiently waiting.

Cousins!

Where's Reese??? 

Uncle Jimmy was so much fun - loved playing games with Drew!

Father + Daughter + Football = happy Christmas Day.

And, we're out.  Drive home did it in!

This was the first Christmas that I have had a true feeling of the Christmas blues.  On the evening of Christmas Day - I was truly sad.  The celebration of Christ's birth was nearing an end.  It was such an awesome, crazy busy, joyous season this year... and so many things to be thankful for - with the number one being the celebration of Jesus' birth and him entering the world to save us from our sins.  

  

We did an Advent Calendar for the first time with Drew this year -- and while Elfie is fun each morning, Drew was just as excited to hear what activity and act of kindness we were going to do that day.  It may my heart swell and writing this, bring tears of joy to my eyes.  Can't wait to do this all again next year!