Our very merry Christmas

I absolutely love Christmas, and this year I was more grateful for it than ever! Moving into our house Dec 7th, the Christmas season got started later than usual. We spent the first week in our new house getting unpacked as much as possible...basically getting things "livable". With so much more still to do, Christmas became a welcome break for the scurry of unpacking and setting up the house, and an oasis of "normal" for me.

I'm so grateful we were able to continue with some of our "traditions":

1) We got our tree about a week after we moved in. It was 2 weeks later than we normally would, but hey, at least we got one!

2) We surprised the girls with a PJ & hot chocolate trip to McAddenville. They love the lights. They asked to go back every night after we took them.

3) We had our annual cookie decorating with the Swans & Seavers

4) We took the girls, along with Grammy & Mere to the Speedway Lights show. It was our first time going. The girls liked it so much, hopefully we'll do it again!

5) The girls spent many afternoons painting ornaments that adorned the tree in their room.

A kind neighbor gave us a huge bagful of outdoor lights. So one week after we moved in, the outside of our house looked like Christmas. We made an attempt to decorate the inside of the house. But this was as good as it got:

We celebrated Christmas morning at home just the five of us.

As much as I've loved Christmas over the years, I think having little kids makes it the best! They were so excited!

We started with a waffle & bacon breakfast. Then stockings. Then gifts.

Then off to Jon & Heather's to celebrate the rest of the day with Joe's family.

Including some amazing Boston Butt & Ribs for our Christmas dinner- the Lechner's know how to eat!!

We had Christmas take two, when my entire family (including Julie's boyfriend, James and Rocky's girlfriend, Jessica). It was pure bliss having 5 days with my family all in our new house. What a gift having space to host them!

We enjoyed many wild games of scrabble, a fierce cookie decorating competition, an intense game of hot potato, and a game of battle of the sexes that left the girls as champions. Can you tell we are a competitive bunch?

On New Years Eve we had spaghetti & chocolate fondue.

We also spent a day in Columbia, SC visiting my Grandma and Uncle Perry.

This was Grandma's first time meeting Ava.

And here is the ever-growing Bowers Clan:

(l-R) Rocky, Jessica, James, Julie, Dad, Rachel, Alathea, Ava, Jeanie, Joe & Abigail.

The holidays are over...officially since we just took our tree down yesterday!

Now I sadly have no more excuses...on to more unpacking!