Home for the Holidays ... almost

Despite having our Christmas tree up since November 18th, I am only just now feeling like the holiday is really upon us. Finally, our preparations are complete, our gifts are bought and wrapped, our car is packed for the trip home, and I can sit back and enjoy the last four days before Christmas. We are just waiting for our siblings flights to get in so that we can start the caravan home. (My brother-in-law is visiting and will be picking up all of the out-of-towners on the way home.) I can't WAIT to be home and enjoy time with the people I love most.

I've been thinking a lot today about some of my favorite Christmas memories and traditions. I just thought I'd share a few:

• We go to my aunt's house every Christmas Eve with all of my extended family and eat goodies and open gifts together. I can remember being little and driving home with my family while my siblings and I looked out the car windows, trying to see Santa in the sky. "I just saw him!" one of us would cry out. "I hope we get home before he gets there," my mom would say. "He doesn't leave presents for kids that aren't in bed sleeping."




• My mom makes the YUMMIEST sticky buns on Christmas morning. We can smell them cooking as we open our presents, and then we all dig in together afterwards. To Die For...




• Ever since Jon and I started dating (11 years ago!!) we have enjoyed just laying together on the couch, with only the Christmas tree lights on, listening to Christmas music and just snuggling. We've both been so busy lately ... I'm hoping for some of this special snuggle time once we get home.




• Every year on Christmas Day, my family and my husband's family eat Christmas dinner together and then exchange gifts and go to the theater to see a movie. We always have such a good time. I feel incredibly blessed that our families are so close

This has definitely been the most fun Christmas ever as far as shopping. I have LOVED buying for my little sweet pea. I know he won't know or understand that he's gotten new toys, but I'm still hoping that his face lights up just a little when he sees his new exersaucer "switcheroos", lights and music stage, and remote control. I'm sure he's sick and tired of hearing "Santa's watching you, Tanner!"

"Come on, Tanner, Santa's getting ready to take back all of your gifts."

"Well in that case ..."

He's actually been such a FUN little guy lately -- squealing and screeching all day, keeping himself entertained with toys, rolling all over, and best of all -- sleeping through the night (which is sure to change once his schedule gets messed up during our vacation, but that's okay). Santa is sure to bring him everything on his list. Here are some pics from this week:

I love it when Uncle Pat comes to play with me!

Is there anything sweeter than a happy boy in the morning all snuggly in his pj's?

"Hey! Let me get back to work here!"

"...and he dives into the end zone. TOUCHDOWN!"

I couldn't resist the naked pics. We had just had a wardrobe change due to an extra yucky, extra stinky diaper and I had to snap a few shots of my little boy who is now sitting on his own.
Get out of here! I'm naked!