What a fun year! It's the best to have two children who are beginning to understand Christmas - so much magic. On Christmas Eve Day, we baked traditional Swedish Gingerbread cookies and after naps we delivered some to friends. While I made supper, Conor played our new game with the girls. Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel. One tradition that began this year is to open a new game on Christmas Eve and play it. I was sad to miss out on the first games, but happy that the rest of the family had something wonderful to do together. It was a real treat to listen to their happy noise while I made pizza. 

We left cookies out for Santa, read a bunch of books and tucked the kiddos in bed. Smoothest bedtime ever! And then Conor and I got to work. I made cinnamon rolls and stuffed stockings while Conor built the girls' new play kitchen! It was a late night for me and an even later one for Conor, but so totally worth it! 

Today, the ladies in our little families wore our Sunday best to church. I made a tulle skirt for myself with my spoils from Britex Fabrics in San Francisco. I put an exposed metal zipper in, which was really tricky, first because I've never done an exposed metal zipper and second, because the fabric is so dang slippery. I totally want to do more exposed zippers - I think they're sexy. 

This morning, I woke up early so I could curl my hair. I love doing my hair like this and it's a special treat since I don't usually do much, but I am trying to do this a little more. I forget how long my hair is until I see photographs of myself, or I have to blow dry it. I like my hair like this, and I'd like it better if it would insta-dry. Fortunately I only wash my hair every 2-3 days, so it's not so bad.

Greta insisted on wearing her grubby, hand-me-down vans today. Her pretty gold shoes just wouldn't do it for her. Her style today was skater girl glam. Our girls have their own style. I'm trying to just embrace it. 

I hope everyone enjoyed church a little extra today.

My family. Constantly making me want to be better. Every single morning I pray for the grace I need to be the mother and wife I want to be. I love these shots in black and white film. I love capturing my family like this. I'm so looking forward to some serious family time next week. I love this time of year. I always hope the feeling I have in my heart in December will last all year round. Christ lives. And because of Him my family can be together forever. That makes me happy, because I love these three people more than I ever knew I could. 

We've had a stomach bug this last week (so gross!), so one morning while we were hunkered down, we made Christmas tree crafts. This was a great activity because of it's 2 phases. First Holly had to paint the popsicle sticks. While, we waited for the to dry, I helped her make a new beaded snowflake ornament which upon completion, I immediately hung on the tree so it wouldn't get lost. Holly had sequins and mini pom-poms to choose from to put on her tree. I put little blobs of white glue on and she picked what she wanted on the tree, which turned out ot be mostly pom-poms. Greta made one too, however, I gave her a foam tree to work with. These turned out so cute!

We decorated gingerbread houses with our friends. Holly adores her buddy, Lucas, and was so excited to be decorating with candy and spending time with him. Whenever anyone asks what Holly would like Santa Claus to bring her, she always says, "candy!" Hope she's not disapointed on Christmas when she gets toys and only a little bit of candy. Next year, I plan on making a modern gingerbread house. Looks awesome!