Christmas

Its amazing how having a baby changes holidays and makes them so much more fun to celebrate! We had great Christmas celebrations with both sides of the family. We went to the Higgins' side the weekend before Christmas and were able to go the Christmas Eve service with Brett's parents and celebrated with the Williams' side on Christmas Day!

The Higgins' side was very fun this year because my nephew Jacob who is 15 months was able to open presents. Not only did he open his own presents then have to play with each new toy but he handed out all the presents and opened everyone else presents. Ayden was asleep for all this so we saved his presents for the next morning. He didn't quite know what he was doing but since he grabs at everything he was able to unwrap his own presents. I can only imagine what Christmas will be like next year when Ayden is Jacob's age and Jacob is 2! We were not able to celebrate with two of my brothers because they both had to work. Hopefully we will be able to make it up to Duluth later this winter or early spring to see them.

The Williams' side was a lot of fun too! We weren't sure what the weather was going to bring so we didn't know if Brett's sister Kelly and her husband would be able to make it but they were! Ayden by that time was a pro at grabbing at wrapping paper which was good because he had the biggest presents under the tree, including a new wagon! I am very excited to use the wagon this spring taking Ayden and Jordann to the park!

It was so awesome to celebrate Ayden's first Christmas with each of our families. I was not that lucky when I was little. My grandparents lived in Iowa and Chicago and we were up in Duluth so we stayed home each year. Having 4 children there was plenty to do on Christmas so I didn't know the difference but I am very happy that both sets of grandparents live close enough that we can celebrate special occasions with both of them.

Along with celebrating with both sides of the family we also took some time to start traditions for our family. We want to make the real Christmas story the center of Christmas at our house so we decided as Ayden grows we will get a new book of the Christmas story that is age appropriate to read with Ayden and hopefully our other children someday! It was so neat to watch Brett read that story to Ayden before we started opening any presents. Ayden sat so intently, we will see if he does the same next year!