Christmas Recap {2014}

Christmas 2014

This Christmas was both extra special and extra tiring. Christmas 2014 marks Ava's 1st Christmas and our 1st Christmas as a family of four. Although, Ava surprised us by being 3 weeks early (which is even earlier then I had anticipated) we were all set for a memorable Christmas. The house was decorated and presents we all bought and wrapped. Thank goodness for being prepared.

Miss Ava's 1st Christmas

Christmas Eve was spent at my parents. In the morning we "helped" prep for 30 plus people and our traditional fish celebration. Even Mason got his hands dirty this year by helping Papa ans Daddy open up clams.

Mason learning our Christmas traditions

Very focused on the task at hand

Christmas morning Matt and I opened up gifts from each other and tried to get Mason into opening his Santa gifts. He received this cash register and it caused all opening of presents to come to a halt. Once we realized none of his other presents were going to be opened we headed back to my parents; where we opened presents and enjoyed leftovers. As we all took turns opening up gifts Mason started to catch on. He finally dove into his pile of presents and was truly excited about Christmas. 

We were all exhausted by this point so a nap was in order before heading to uncle Neal and Aunt Rose's for dinner. It took some motivation to get both kids out the door but it was so worth it. Mason played with his older cousins and had the best time. It is heartwarming to see him interact with them and give them hugs (this is unusual for Mase, seeing he isn't big on hugs and kisses). 

This Christmas is one to remember! I also took an important lesson away from this season of craziness: Christmas is just as exhausting for the adults as it is for the kids. All the prep work is well worth it but by the end of the day Mason was exhausted. It was just a little too much. 

We are so blessed to have such a wonderful little family of four, that Ava is healthy (she just needs to gain some weight), that Matt has some time off work and that Mason is happy & healthy too. We still have adjusting to do with our new addition but we are slowly creating our new norm. 

We hope you had a very Merry Christmas! Till next year. 

Love the Murrays


What a difference a year makes, check out last year's Christmas post.