Ethan and Max, it was so fun to celebrate Christmas with you. Amidst the holiday hustle and bustle, I know your Daddy and I would stop, look around and tell ourselves to breathe in these moments for there will come a day we would pay our last cent to enjoy them with you all over again. Please don’t lose the magic. XO

Christmas swooped in and left all too fast. (But then again, I’m that person that could listen to Christmas music and enjoy twinkling lights come October.) We quickly decorated our place only to enjoy it for a few short weeks before heading back to STL to celebrate with friends and family. In a flurry we snuck in time to visit and write Santa, put up the tree, decorate, bake cookies, send out cards, shop, wrap and ship before flying back to STL in 20 days.

The Pre-holiday Recap:

– Max and Ethan had a great visit with Santa. Max was on the verge of tears, but he toughed it out like the little trooper he is. Ethan carried on what seemed like a 20-minute-long conversation about which video games he had on his wishlist and why….followed up by a laundry list of questions about the reindeer, Rudolph, the sleigh and his toy workshop up north.

– We ordered a tree online since we left our big beautiful tree behind when we moved away. A few weeks prior to Christmas a 7-foot-version of the sad Charlie Brown Christmas tree showed up on my porch. It took a Christmas miracle to make this barely there green stick to look like a respectable tree. Lucky for me, I had a few helpers. This was the first year Ethan showed interest in helping me hang ornaments. Of course Max noticed Ethan decorating, and he had to help, too. Every ornament that Ethan hung, Max removed. Hilarious to watch from my perspective, but quite frustrating to poor Ethan. Oh my…see the video for the tree drama. [A month later, I still laugh when I watch it.]

– Our sitter-extraordinaire Megan made cinnamon ornaments with the kiddos while Ethan was off school for winter break. They had a ton of fun…and our house smelled amazing for a week! I must remember this recipe (which only requires applesauce and A LOT of cinnamon) for future years: Cinnamon Ornaments

– Traditions are great, but don’t expect a 4 and 1 year old to appreciate them. This is more of a note to myself than anyone. Neither kiddo cared for my intent to read Twas the Night Before Christmas…despite my efforts, it was like trying to hold onto two Mexican jumping beans.

Eric and I knew that with traveling for the holiday things were going to be a tad crazy. I had no expectations and we knew this first go was going to be a learning experience. How do we get the gifts to STL? How do we get the gifts back to CA? And will Santa visit STL and CA? If so, how? Oh…and let’s not forget Mr. Ethan celebrates his birthday on Christmas. Whee!!! Hold on — this is going to be fun!

And it was.

The boys were so much fun to be around…The magic of Christmas within them seems to transcend all. There’s so much excitement, anticipation and joy — or at least that’s all I’ve been blessed to experience. You cannot help but want to partake in it and share it with others. If only I could bottle that magic!

Max experienced some crazy anxiety (mad max!) anytime someone other than mom and dad tried to hold him. Needless to say, we have lots of pictures of grandparents trying to love on a very upset Maxwell. Red faced and screaming was the theme for a lot of pics, but we had to capture it since I know we’ll look back and laugh one day.

And while Max cannot appreciate what the holiday truly signifies, Ethan thinks it’s pretty neat to share his birthday with Jesus. He also is starting to understand what it means to help those less fortunate. I have bigger plans for 2012 including adopting a family and taking toys to children where the boys can see a direct impact on giving to someone else…Sharing love with others.

Afterall, isn’t Christmas about love at the heart of it all?

Thank you family and friends so much for the great hospitality, conversations, delectable food and memories from Christmas and New Years! Also thank you for recognizing and celebrating Ethan’s birthday – it was not unnoticed and it was so appreciated. Ethan enjoyed 3 different birthday cakes during his trip to Missouri! Now if that doesn’t make a child smile…!

I know that Ethan and Max will look back fondly on these childhood memories. And while our time “back home” flew by, I know it was captured, enjoyed and cherished. More fun to come….Happy 2012!!!