I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. ~Charles Dickens

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.  ~Charles Dickens

Christmas is absolutely my most favorite holiday and each year it gets more fun at our house!  This year Braydon is 5 and Rhett is 3 and I feel like a kid again myself. Oofey, our Elf on the Shelf made every morning entertaining (see previous post) and there were many conversations and explanations of how Santa and his crew work each year.  Braydon's #1 item on his wish list was "CARS 2 Stuff" and Rhett asked for animals and a "pirate ship" (We had a lot of fun with that one..with his speech still developing it sounded a lot worse than a boat, and of course, we were the naughty ones asking him to repeat it every chance we got!) We got in all the usual traditions; decorating the tree, lighting up the front yard (wait that was just me..and I need to be reminded that next year we need heavy duty cords...all of that work and I blew the breaker every time), Christmas play at church (Rhett bowed out, but good thing I guess since he had pneumonia the week of the show), watching Nana B. and Pops do their annual Santa and Mrs. Clause act, making cookies, visit to Santa at Lexington Green (Rhett refused, but luckily Braydon had his back...later in the car he cried that he would get nothing for Christmas because he was too scared to sit on his knee..Braydon said, "Don't worry Rhett, I told Santa exactly what you wanted." So stink'n sweet!) and of course, time with family.

We were able to enjoy all of our family in one 'pot (as Braydon used to say) and were fortunate enough that everyone was healthy enough to enjoy one another's company.  We did miss Grandma Nemo and Walter and some of the Hager/Hall family members.  

Garett's sister and family were in from Idaho...that made for five grandchildren, 5 years old and younger, to be able to spend some quality time together.  My nephew, Seth, was in on break from Arizona State and my nephew, Geoffrey, shared the news that he was expanding our family with his new engagement. Our blessings are over flowing. After Christmas we were able to take a quick trip to Gatlinburg with Garett's siblings and their families.  That was fun and the kids got to play together some more..even in a water park. 

On both sides of the family we had a magical Christmas...feelings I hope to hold on to all year! 

Santa and Mrs. Clause with the Hager grandchildren...5 ; Braydon (5),  Jackson (3), Rhett (3) , Dawson (1) , Tinley (1) ...there will be one more here next year..Tate due in late January.  Nana and Pops sure got what they asked for 6 years ago...lots of grandbabies!

The Hager Family...all in one 'pot!

Braydon the Shepard.

My Mamaw (Dad's Mother) Great Granny Green Beans ;)

Rhett sporting his elf hat while admiring the decorations on  KK's tree.

Me and my nephew, Jackson.

The boys with my nephew, Seth. They think their two older cousins are the best!

Enjoying breakfast at the Applebarn in Gatlinburg.

One of my favorite pictures of my nephew, Dawson.  Giving "Santa Pops" a big hug!

Tracking Santa on the iPad Christmas Eve before going to bed.

Braydon could NOT stop talking about opening presents!

Rhett checking out the entrance on Christmas Eve.

*Would love to share more pics from the Razor side of things, but in all the hustle and bustle, I left my camera (I know..I know..so unlike me) in the garage as we were packing up to go to my parents house Christmas day...hopefully I can swipe some from my sister and add them later. *