We had a pretty calm and relaxing Advent and Christmas this year. We spent our first Christmas in our own home, and though we dearly missed the family we did not see, it was quite wonderful to have a stress-free, travel-free holiday season.
We strove to have a simple Christmas this year, with few gifts and a great deal of focus on Christ's birth. All in all, I think we succeeded, and we're left with a sense of peace as we make our way toward the Baptism of the Lord and the close of the Christmas season.
Though this wasn't Marie's first Christmas, it was the first she could really partake in, and we had a lot of fun this Advent talking about, reading about and playing with Baby Jesus ("Baby Jee-Jee"), Mary ("Mommy"), Joseph ("Daddy"), the donkey and all of the other major players from the nativity story. Despite the feared-permanent loss of Marie's little Baby Jesus, we are in high spirits around here after a very lovely Advent and Christmas at home.
Here are one million pictures of our December adventures and happenings. As you can see, it's all been pretty low-key, and though we know every year won't be like this one, we really enjoyed the quiet time with our little family (and my parents) and the chance to hide from distractions and focus on welcoming Christ into our home and hearts.
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| Tree hunting on an extremely cold day. |
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| Marie was not a big fan of the freezing temperatures. |
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| The one, cutting down the one. |
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| Zoo Lights with Grandma and Grandpa Schweiss! |
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| Gaga and Papa and the amazing quilt Grandma made Marie for Christmas. |
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| Making Christmas cookies with Grandma. |
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| Making Christmas presents. She is the most reserved painter I can imagine. |
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| All dressed up in her "parkly" dress and big girl shoes. |
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| On our way to meet Daddy for an anniversary dessert date. |
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| Date with Daddy. |
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| A long, cold walk before naptime... |
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| Watching the neighbor put up Christmas lights. |
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| A cold, happy visit to the park! |
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| Marie's absolute favorite part of Advent and perhaps her favorite part of every day. |
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| Dressed like Mary and very proud of it. Such a sweetheart. |
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| Our tree and our minimalist presents. |
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| Cozy Christmas home. |
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| Either our stockings are too small or our stocking stuffers are too big... |
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| Happy girl on Christmas Eve. |
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| Christmas Eve appetizers and champagne cocktails with Grandma and Grandpa. |
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| A Christmas Eve concert which was lovely and very impressive considering how long it's been since he played. |
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| Christmas morning. All is calm, all is bright. |
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| A very careful un-wrapper... |
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| Wheely bug!! |
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| Christmas afternoon at Grandma and Grandpa's! With a tiger! |
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| Marie's new violin! Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa! |
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| Cozy Christmas |
MERRY CHRISTMAS and Happy New Year to you all!
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