Christmas and New Years 2012

We celebrated a modified Christmas this year, thanks to an unwelcome guest, otherwise known as influenza, which arrived at our house promptly on Christmas morning. But, I am getting ahead of myself. First, Christmas Eve...my favorite day of the year. We awoke early and began our annual Christmas Eve Day traditions...

We lit our special candle...

we decorated the table...

we set out some goodies...

and we posed for the annual Christmas Eve photo before Mass.

(As you can see, my sweet Flynn was not feeling herself.)

 At some point during the day, I began to suspect that Flynn may be getting sick. So in between doses of sticky, purple Tylenol, I willed her to be fine. And she did perk up enough to attend Mass. We all went to bed that night with sweet dreams in our heads.

Christmas morning we awoke to snow and sniffles. It quickly became apparent that Flynn was not alright. She was burning up and inconsolable. My heart broke for her and for my other littles, as I realized that the Christmas I had envisioned was not going to happen. It was quickly mended, however, as my older children unselfishly told us to take her to the doctor and they would wait to open presents until she was back. Madison even offered to go with Steve to allow me to stay home with Peyton and Rhett. The doctors at the Emergency Room tested her and concluded it was a  severe case of the flu which would be very bad for five days before she would start to come around. She returned home, I gave her a quick bath, and we proceeded to have Christmas!

The kids were thrilled with their gifts from Santa. That Santa...he always knows, doesn't he?

Madison was thrilled with her Ipad...

Peyton was thrilled with hers, too...

Rhett was excited about his television for his room...

and I loved my gift from Steve! A Princess Diana Wedding Doll!

This is what my sweet baby was doing while all this was going on around her.

                                                                                                                                                                    

We spent Christmas week snuggled in our country home while the snow fell...over a foot!...and the world went on around us. We camped out on the sofa and coughed and sneezed...Peyton, Rhett, and I all got colds! We watched movies and sipped soup and tea. We laughed until we coughed and enjoyed our time together. Steve and Madison held things together and thanks to my organization, we had everything we needed right here. By Saturday, Flynn felt well enough to open her presents. And it was worth the wait.

She loved her Little People Princess Castle...

and the American Girl Baby was a dream come true!

New Year's Eve came quickly, and we were ready to celebrate!

We set another festive table...

set out the last of the goodies...

got the games ready...

set out a yummy dinner of meat and cheese for sandwiches...

and fresh fruit for dessert!

We had a fun night together playing games, snacking, and watching movies. At midnight we were all still up, and wished each other a Happy New Year! Then...we went to bed!


Today, New Years Day is one of my favorite days. It is also one of my least favorite days. I love the new start. A fresh new page in this book of life. I like putting my home back together and cleaning from top to bottom. I look forward to new tv shows, and long winter evenings snuggled in with those I love. I am sad, however, that my littles will return to school tomorrow. I miss them when they are at school. I will also miss the music, the cards, the magic that is Christmas. But, as I tell my children, it doesn't matter what day the calendar says...as long as we are together...we have fun...we laugh...we love... together. And that is what I wish for all of you in this brand new year...happy, healthy, love and laughter with those you love! Happy New Year, friends!