Looking through pictures

dress: online boutique    cardigan & shoes: old navy 

Christmas Eve is my favorite.  My family has always done our Christmas celebrating that evening, and while traditions have changed a little since having little kids and my brother and sister-in-law gone, it was still special.  

Everything wasn't perfect.  Addilyn barely napped and was kind of crabby that afternoon and during church.  I only sat in the service for ten minutes.  I didn't get one good picture of just her in her Christmas dress and I couldn't find any shoes for her to wear so she wore two right shoes that were hand me downs (still not sure how that happened).  It's embarrassingly easy for me to let things get me bent out of shape, especially on big days.  

But I'm slowly learning that is just life.  No day is going to be perfect and there were so many more wonderful moments. Christmas Eve was special, fun, and I love sharing the day with my family.  I thought last year's Christmas was the best, but this year with Addilyn being older and more excited about things it was even better.  To start traditions with her and for her to be with her cousins.   To watch her get excited about presents and Christmas decorations.  To teach her about Jesus' birth and the celebration of Christmas day.

I'm slowly looking through and editing pictures as there is probably one good one for every fifteen.  I used to get sad after Christmas and looking through pictures of the day made me wish it wasn't over.  But this year looking at pictures makes me thankful for my family, for traditions, and for starting a new year.  

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your family! It's been so nice to take time off my computer and I've thoroughly enjoyed doing other things during nap time and evenings.  I plan to do some more of that this week too.  Enjoy your last few days of 2013!