Family party

We weren't sure if we'd drive to CO for Christmas. It depended on the weather. The weather looked clear so we decided to make the trip. Usually I love being home for Christmas, but I felt like if it worked out for use to go to my parents' house, we should make an effort to be there. I'm grateful Aaron supported this decision. I also felt sad that we'd miss out on our time as a little family for Christmas. As I was preparing dinner on Saturday evening, we decided to make an impromptu family party. The girls helped me set the table. We used my birthday flowers and made little bouquets for decorations. I loved this special moment together. We lit candles and enjoyed sitting down together to eat. 

Dinner was simple - since we were leaving for CO, we ate whatever food we had in the fridge/freezer. I took a minute to soak this moment in and I felt so grateful for Christmas and family and togetherness. 

After we ate, we opened a few presents. The kids shared their sibling gifts with each other. Eleanor made me this bracelet! She put so much time into her gifts! Her thoughtless made my heart burst with love for her!

Adelaide decided that since she loved her gum ball machine so must that she'd get Eli one. He loved it!

Eleanor also made Adelaide this necklace. 

The kids also bought their presents from the Volk's!

Austin made Aaron and me a calendar! He bought Eleanor a Harry Potter wand as well as a sorting hat. He knows Eleanor is loving Harry Potter right now so it was so cute to see him pick out these gifts for Eleanor. Eli decided on a Gene stuffy from Aladdin for Austin. He loved it! The kids were so cute with their thoughtfulness and Christmas cheer!