Christmas Day Goodness

Emma's Santa gift. 

Grace's Santa gift. 

Something you want. 

Something you need. 

Something you hope for. 

Something to read.

Ready to head to Rhode Island for Christmas dinner!

Grace and the guys building Legos. 

Thanks Gramma and Grandpa!

 The girls watching as Grandpa plays darts. 

From start to finish it was a truly glorious Christmas!  We all slept in, with Dave and I getting up before the girls and the last one rolling out of bed around 8:00am.  Stockings were opened, presents given, dreams became reality and lots of love, smiles and joy was shared.  Breakfast and Emmett Otter's Jug band Christmas rounded out our morning, then it was time to get ready and head to Rhode Island for Christmas with the New England portion of our family.  Gifts were exchanged, stories were shared and a delicious dinner was enjoyed (kudos to the chef).  There were a couple of rousing games of darts (with me surprising myself and everyone else with how well I managed to play) and dessert and then it was time to head home.   

Part of what Amanda said in her post today summed up so beautifully how I have been feeling over the course of the last week or so.  Except, of course, instead of seven of us loving, learning, living and growing together in this one space we number four: 

"It's been a week full of so much goodness. From loud and boisterous celebratory fun with extended family to quieter moments of ritual and togetherness at home. It's bliss, really, all this extra special celebrating and magic on the canvas of the everyday struggle, mess and chaotic joy of seven people loving, learning, growing and living together in one space." -Amanda Soule

May the magic of this special time be present for a while longer and may the final few days of 2012 be some of your best yet!