Gratitude Overflowing

The holiday season was oh so busy, but so worth it.  I feel like we squeezed every last drop of joy and togetherness out of it.  I'm still reeling from all the loveliness....

We were so happy to host the 2nd annual neighborhood holiday pajama breakfast.  This event, perhaps more than any other, makes me feel so thankful for the people in our lives.  We ate and drank, watched Christmas movies, and snuggled our kids.  As we lazed around on the couches and floor, in our comfiest clothes, I looked around the room and just thought to myself how very lucky we are to have randomly landed in this neighborhood of people who have become some of our very closest friends. And then we ate more bacon.

For the first time since I've known Brian, we were home together on Christmas Eve.  Knowing that we had some busy times ahead of us, knowing that although family gatherings are lovely, they can also be stressful and frustrating at times, I started my Christmas Eve celebration with a beautiful solitary walk.  I breathed deeply, I thought about all I had to be thankful for, and I set some intentions for myself about how I wanted to feel and act during the coming celebrations.  I thought about maintaining control with my eating, I thought about listening more than talking, and I thought about being patient and loving with my family members. 

 

And then I headed home to my loving family, and settled in to celebrate in our own special way.  

After a quiet Christmas morning at home, we moved on to Denver for a beautifully relaxing day with Brian's family.  The day was so lovely because it was so calm, restful, and we really had a chance to visit and connect. And this has been the first year that Sadie and her cousin Elias were both old enough to really enjoy each other...it was the best thing ever to see them playing together and being silly.

After a quick day of work, and a family day for running errands and squeezing in a viewing of Disney's Frozen, we packed up the car and headed to my parents' house for the weekend.  I went into the weekend with a wish list which included playing cards, watching christmas movies, hot tubbing, walking in the woods, reading, napping, playing my mandolin, and drinking beer. 

Done.  Crossed all those things and more off my list...it was such a good weekend of connection with my family.  Oh how I love them..and absolutely cherish nothing more than when we're all together in the mountains in front of my favorite fireplace of all.

We left my parents house and made our way to the Peterson cabin and settled in for the rest of 2013!  We loved having one more night with Brian's parents, and even had a sledding party the next morning before they headed home.  We spent a peaceful day with just the three of us.  We played and napped and I cooked up a storm preparing for our New Year's Eve festivities.  We anxiously waited for our dear friends to arrive and got ready for all the fun to come.  As soon as they were unpacked and settled, we got right to playing tunes, painting faces, eating, drinking, singing, dancing, and laughing. 

What a perfectly, perfect way to end the year...surrounded by beautiful children, good friends, cooking, eating, and drinking delicious creations, and playing fiddle tunes!  I am SO filled up with love and joy and thankfulness for all the beauty in our lives.  How on earth can we be so unbelievably lucky? 

Holiday Happiness

I love love love this time of year.  The potential exists every year that I will overbook, overplan, overcraft, and set unreasonably high expectations for myself.  I really try my hardest to avoid that...and it's going well so far.

It takes a lot of planning, a kick-ass spreadsheet, starting early, and making sure I'm well rested, well hydrated, and getting some exercise.  So far, so good!
 

Favorite moments so far....

 
Performance of Annie at a new-to-us theater in downtown Littleton...

Our annual tea party at the Brown Palace.  SUCH a special tradition, and made so much more special now that we have a little girl in her new Christmas dress joining us....

 Decorating the tree and making the house merry on a freezing cold Saturday afternoon....

Annual bookclub party with spouses and without kiddos (except for the two brand new babies in the group).  My face and throat and head hurt so badly by the end of the night because of all the out-of-control laughter.  I love hosting this party at our house..it's such a fun reason to get the house looking and smelling good, light all the candles, put on our favorite Christmas music, and wear a pretty party dress.  I love these friends and their partners SOOOO much...I feel so full of emotion after this night.  So thankful for these people in my life.  

 The season has just begun and there's still so much fun to be had....just trying in every moment to soak in the beauty, joy, and wonder that this season brings.