Sometimes when the kids were younger I would torment them by humming Christmas carols in July...or even break out in song in the kitchen.
"Mom! It's July!" they would admonish me.
So now sultry, hot July has arrived, and my mind drifts back to Christmas.
The first Christmas in our new home in Indiana made special by a visit from with my parents.
The kids shopped (aka schemed) carefully for each other. Kiahra cleverly boxed Kade's present in a Victoria's Secret box much to her delight and Kade's surprise captured in this photo!
Kade found the perfect book for his little sister...
And he knew that his big sister (well she was taller than he was at Christmastime anyway) loved snow globes.
Our annual Christmas puzzle was unwrapped by grandparents!
Photo bomb.
And special framed photos with daddy brought lots of smiles!
Boots. I soon would discover these are the most comfortable boots ever! I didn't take them off for the entire winter. Seriously.
Hubby's smile is my favorite. He wore it all night watching his delighted kiddos.
And the biggest surprise of the night~a carefully wrapped scarf and hat concealed the "real" present. The utter delight on her face will not be forgotten. This little bug is hard to surprise...and did I mention she is snoopy??
It was Christmas Eve filled with laughter and smiles wrapped in the comfort of our living room where the fire crackled and my heart danced.
I cannot explain why it was so special to me...was it because it was our first Indiana Christmas? Or that we shared it with grandparents? Or that I managed to surprise the kids? Or all of those things? And more?
Always I will recall Christmas 2014 with fondness~and treasure these photos of unabated emotion.
