We had a long and involved list of activities to do with Nana and Papa JJ. But, once the adults started getting sick one by one, we had to prioritize. Instead of going into the forest to cut down a tree, we went to a tree farm. The morning we went tree hunting, an ideal amount of snow fell at the right elevation and so looking for a tree was extra beautiful. I mean, check it out! This year, I wanted a fuller tree because those are harder to come by in the wild. And I'd say we found her! Getting the tree home and lit and decorated all went really well. Maeve was a little confused as to why she didn't have some of the same ornaments as her sisters (she had yet to be born those years). Surprisingly, the babies have been very kind to the tree. I'm impressed and relieved to not have to police the tree.

At 7AM exactly, upstairs sounded like a stampede as Greta and Holly came rushing downstairs! Maeve somehow stayed asleep through all of that, but woke up a little later and came downstairs upset because no one was upstairs, but her tune changed almost immediately when she remembered it was Christmas! Our Christmas morning looks like this: we open up stockings first, all taking turns. Then we eat breakfast once it's ready. And then I like to take our time opening up gifts. There's no rush! I really enjoyed the pace of this year's Christmas morning and I was so grateful that I didn't feel overwhelmed by stuff at the end of it. We spent the remainder of the day playing together, video chatting with family and we watched a movie. It was so ideal!

And here's Maeve playing with her gift from Conor and I the day after Christmas.

I love Christmas with kids! They're so excited! This Christmas, I explained to Maeve what all was going to happen because I wasn't totally sure she understood Christmas and Santa. I made a big fancy, delicious dinner and we ate Gingerbread Chocolate Cranberry Cake. So, so yummy! After dinner the kiddos opened up their Christmas Eve gifts, which was pajamas. I thought that this year would be the last one that Holly would want a nightgown, but as it turned out she would've prefered separates. But she's a champ and processed it and has worn her nightgown non-stop since! Cute pajamas are one of my favorite things to buy for my kids! We read our Christmas stories, put out egg nog and cookies for Santa and tucked the kiddos into bed. It all went pretty smoothly!

Right before Christmas, we met up with our friends at the Manito Park fireplace for hot chocolate, charades, marshmallows, snacks and carolling. We had the best time hanging out until way past dinnertime!

One of the first things we did upon arriving home was cut down a Christmas tree. We had to hike quite a ways in to find "the one." And even then, I had resigned myself to being a little less picky this year than in years past because I continually felt like a better tree was just around the next bend. Our tree felt like a bit of a settle, but once we got her home and in the house, I was very impressed with her! She's a beauty! Holly was a total champ and hiked that tree out with Conor. I'm so proud of her and so grateful!

This year's ornaments are green felt stockings with a bit of bead work.

And here she is in all her decorated glory!