Addison's first Christmas

I savored every single moment of the past few days as we celebrated the birth of our Savior with our family of three for the first time. It is not only the most beautiful time of the year, but it was also my baby's first Christmas. Her first Christmas church service. Her first time setting out cookies for Santa. Her first time reading the Christmas story on Christmas Eve. Her first time coming down the steps to see her presents, (ok, being carried down the steps to her presents and having no clue what was going on) her first time wearing a special Christmas dress to celebrate Jesus' birthday. Her first time singing Happy Birthday to Jesus...just so many firsts over the past couple of days. She was so much fun because everything was new. She obviously had no clue what was going on, but I do believe that she had fun. She's pooped out EXHAUSTED after all the traveling, but I really do think that she had a good time.

We've literally traveled the state of Kentucky in the past two days, but it was all worth it to be able to see so many of our family members. Really...a lot of traveling. We counted over 8 hours that we drove over a two day period around Kentucky. We started out on the 23rd celebrating Christmas with Mike's mom, dad, sister, brother in law and our niece. We ate lunch after church and let the little ones open their gifts. They were too cute!

look at my daughter cheesin' in this picture. I could just eat her up!

Aunt Rachie is funny!

her first time sitting in a high chair

Then we celebrated Christmas with Mike's dad's side of the family on Christmas Eve and again, Addison opened gifts from many, many people. We are really blessed more than we deserve! She did a very good job at opening gifts that were in a gift bag. She would take her little hand and grab the paper and everyone would cheer for her, which she loved by the way!

On Christmas Eve we traveled back home and started our traditions with the three of us. We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and read Addison the story of Jesus' birth before she went to bed.
This Christmas was also the first time that I have not stayed at my mom and dad's on Christmas Eve, which was weird, but Mike and I had so much much starting traditions of our own with our little family of 3.

On Christmas morning we I woke up early and made breakfast for Mike and I so we could eat together before Addison woke up. We opened gifts and afterward headed back to Lebanon to celebrate Christmas with Mike's mom's side of the family. After Christmas there we drove to my mom and dad's house to have Christmas with them.

I would say she was a very good girl this year...here she is in the midst of all of her loot as my mother would call it. Can you spot her? She's in her new high chair :)

Shew I'm exhausted just even typing that all out, but we are so thankful that we have so much family that we can visit and celebrate this season with. Jesus is the reason for it all. The reason why we have Christmas. The reason why we travel and travel and travel over a two day period to visit family. The reason for everything. I am thankful he was brought into our world and for the many blessings he's given me. None of which I deserve.

We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas filled with the love of Jesus and we hope you were able to laugh with, hug and create many lasting memories with the ones you hold dear. From our family to yours...

Merry Christmas!

Luke 2:11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.