We were so lucky to have a fun chocolate making day with Conor's mom. It's really fun to make chocolates and doesn't take nearly as long as I always think it will. Eating the chocolate is obviously the best part!

All year long, if we're driving through a forest, I always like to identify the trees that would make great Christmas trees. It's so fun to head out into the woods to hunt down a tree. And of course, because lots of trees grow on hillsides it can be a little complicated to find one. We tried out a new location this year and I was very pleased with the scenery. We found a great tree (most were far too big). It looked like a reasonable size in the forest, but when we got it home, we could really appreciate how large it is. We probably cut it down/back by half, but it looks so good and holds the ornaments up better than other trees we've had. I'm very happy with it! We sure liked being out in the snow in the gorgeous mountains with family and good friends.

This year's annual Scavenger Hunt for East! There were 2 rules:
1. No fighting
2. Wait for Maeve

It continues to delight our children!

And we dyed Easter eggs!

It's the kind of year where I take pictures of the ornaments I made when I'm taking them off the tree. This year's ornaments were embroidered using a Sampler Pattern from Purl Soho. I really enjoyed making them primarily in the company of Ted Lasso.

I made salt dough ornaments this year too. I made handprint Santas of the youngest three's hands. They turned out really cute and only took two tries!

I love the way we roll on Christmas Day, nice and slow and we savor the day. Everyone was so excited to see that Santa had visited in the night, filling stockings. Honestly, watching Maeve open her stocking was a highlight! She was overjoyed with every item! Our daughters were really excited to exchange gifts and while some of the gifts were just right, some had to make us laugh. Maeve picked out her gifts all on her own with an elf at Santa Express. I likely would've steered her in a different direction for one of the gifts, but she was so excited to give it and confident that it would be well received! Maeve worked so hard to not tell what her gifts were and only gave "mints" (aka hints). But when I had just about opened the gift she gave to Conor and I, she couldn't hold it in any longer and told us all about it! So cute.

The rest of the day was filled with good food, family and games.