The Butler Family

It was fun, festive, and full of cheer! Christmas came and went too fast, but it was amazing spending time together, waiting for Santa, watching the kids open their gifts, and unplugging from the world and being together.

Owen was all about it this year as you can imagine any three year old would be! He had a Christmas tree in his room that he would decorate and undecorate all the time. Every so often, my ornaments off the big tree would come up missing and I was never surprised to find them upstairs on his. He had an electric train that went around and around and a calender to help mark the days to count us down.

The best part this year for me was having two children to celebrate with. Although she was only 6 months old, Emery joined in like a pro. She was every bit involved as Owen. She was there for the decorating, the Christmas pajamas, the stories, the cookies, and yes, even the presents. She did need some help opening her gifts of course, but that was just fine with Owen. He would help her open them, hold them up for her to see, and say, "Look Emery! Santa brought you a ________!"

I swear he was as excited about her gifts as his own.

I've always loved Christmas, but my children are what make it magical. I love the wonder and the excitement that fills them. When Owen came down Christmas morning, and saw all the presents, the very first thing out of his mouth was, "Did he eat all those cookies?" He made a bee line to the table to check his work and there was just one little half peice left.

I thought the next thing he would do would be obvious, but he didn't touch a single toy. He just sat there in the floor and stared at it all for at least ten minutes.

Then, he got up, saw his jeep, and said, "What's this? It's got wheels." And after seeing how amazed we both were, and insisting that he climb in, the ice was broken. He then began to open gift after gift very precisely. He didn't rush through it, he took his time and took it all in.

Every year I think it can't get any better, and it always does.  Owen was so precious opening his gifts and talking to Emery about it all. And I know it sounds strange, but when I look down and see my kids in the floor laughing and playing, and see Wade staring at them with a smile, I almost have to pinch myself. I seriously can't believe how amazing my family is. They are so much more than anything I could have ever imagined.

Wade, Owen, and Emery are the greatest gifts I had Christmas morning.  I have the best husband and children that a girl could ever dream of having. Christmas was wonderful this year and as much as I hated to see it go, it marked a new season in our lives as a family. I pray we never forget how much love filled our home and that we cherish the time we had spending it together.

Merry Christmas Wade, Owen, and Emery!

Christmas Eve Christmas Pajamas