I have to admit, after the age of 8 the enchantment of xmas had been lost for me. Don’t get me wrong, I was still excited about the anticipation of gifts — giving and receiving, holiday traditions like making ornaments, baking cookies with my mom and spending time with the entire family. But the real magic — believing in Santa, was gone and with it I lost a little bit of the wonder too. As the years passed I truly forgot how exciting it once was. But then I had Gavin and the term Christmas spirit took on a whole new meaning — this year it all came rushing back to me and I have to admit, it felt GREAT! This was the first year he was 100% into everything and anything to do with holiday cheer. The stories, advent calendars, writing letters to Santa, building gingerbread houses, trimming the tree, singing carols, cookies and milk. Nothing quite measures that feeling — one forgets how exciting it can be. Here are a few of my favorite holiday snapshots from our house, to grandma’s, to pap’s place. Without a doubt, holidays are a LOT of work/running around, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world — not one second of it!

















