This year, our holiday plans got a bit shuffled. We didn't make it to Indiana as we had hoped, so we stayed in Sequim. While I am fine with it just being my little tribe, it is always hard to be away from family during the holidays, whether that is Christmas or New Year's. What is worse is when social media shows you the plethora of family and friends all united and a tiny bit of myself feels jealous and left out. I know we chose to live here and I don't regret that choice by any means, but it still leaves my heart aching when the holiday season approaches, especially when we are unable to share it with those we love.
However, our kids had a great Christmas and watching them enjoy the magic behind it all was really exciting. We met up with my cousin and his family in Seattle to enjoy Woodland Park Zoolights. Brad and I took the kids to enjoy the Children's Museum before that, which was a very fun day overall.
Christmas Eve we enjoyed our tradition of mass and dinner. Jax still doesn't quite get the whole thing, but he had fun getting new toys. His favorites were the trucks and cars, which he has not stopped playing with since he opened them. Madelynne has a variety of fun items that have kept her relatively occupied and her favorite was the American Girl doll Santa gave her.
Yet, despite all the gifts they received, the best part of Christmas was the white snow on the ground. It started snowing Christmas Eve and didn't let up until sometime in the early morning hours. Maddy didn't waste second to get herself outside to sled down the hill and drag her brother around in the yard. I have to say it made me one happy camper to have a white Christmas, as well.
The remaining days of our break were spent enjoying the outdoors. The kids both got new rainboots from Santa, so we tested those out. Then, Saturday we ventured to the coast to enjoy some nice weather and a small hike to the beach. There is something magical about the beach and the ocean, the way it speaks to your soul and sings to your heart. It never gets old, really.
We rang in the New Year by playing games and watching Cool Runnings until the break of midnight. Now, we're back to reality. Maddy went back to school today. I have until Thursday, so Jax and I hung out today together. Earlier this month the kids enjoyed multiple birthday parties, Maddy's Christmas concert, and a Daddy Daughter Dance Fundraiser put on by her school. We also ventured up to Hurricane Ridge to enjoy some snowshoeing.
Until next time...Enjoy the pics.
However, our kids had a great Christmas and watching them enjoy the magic behind it all was really exciting. We met up with my cousin and his family in Seattle to enjoy Woodland Park Zoolights. Brad and I took the kids to enjoy the Children's Museum before that, which was a very fun day overall.
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| Hello, Seattle. |
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| Liam on the Carousel |
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| "Art Walk" |
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| Jax on the Caurosel |
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| Maddy on the Caurosel |
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| Climbing the playground at Seattle Center |
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| Merry-go-Round |
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| Sh had courage, but that was as far as she would climb. |
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| Hot chocolate at the fountain |
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| "Art Run." |
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| Staying warm-Zoo Lights |
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| Waiting for her hot chocolate |
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| Waiting in line |
Christmas Eve we enjoyed our tradition of mass and dinner. Jax still doesn't quite get the whole thing, but he had fun getting new toys. His favorites were the trucks and cars, which he has not stopped playing with since he opened them. Madelynne has a variety of fun items that have kept her relatively occupied and her favorite was the American Girl doll Santa gave her.
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| Present opening chaos |
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| Mesmerized |
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| Opening gifts from Grandma Sue |
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| The aftermath |
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| Checking out the cars from Santa |
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| Her American Girl Doll from Santa |
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| Breakfast treats with my adulting gifts. :) |
Yet, despite all the gifts they received, the best part of Christmas was the white snow on the ground. It started snowing Christmas Eve and didn't let up until sometime in the early morning hours. Maddy didn't waste second to get herself outside to sled down the hill and drag her brother around in the yard. I have to say it made me one happy camper to have a white Christmas, as well.
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| Dragging bro around the yard |
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| Watching the kids outside |
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| Recovering |
The remaining days of our break were spent enjoying the outdoors. The kids both got new rainboots from Santa, so we tested those out. Then, Saturday we ventured to the coast to enjoy some nice weather and a small hike to the beach. There is something magical about the beach and the ocean, the way it speaks to your soul and sings to your heart. It never gets old, really.
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| Cuddles |
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| Cartwheels on the beach |
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| Driftwood King and Queen |
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| Following sis |
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| Hiking with Papa |
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| Puddle splashing |
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| Morning cuddles |
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| Ocean Love |
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| La Push |
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| Checking out tide pools |
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| Running through puddles |
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| Watching sis |
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| New rainboots |
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| Rocking the Reflection |
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| Sizable differences |
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| Drawing circles |
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| Wide angle lens love |
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| Cartwheels on the beach |
We rang in the New Year by playing games and watching Cool Runnings until the break of midnight. Now, we're back to reality. Maddy went back to school today. I have until Thursday, so Jax and I hung out today together. Earlier this month the kids enjoyed multiple birthday parties, Maddy's Christmas concert, and a Daddy Daughter Dance Fundraiser put on by her school. We also ventured up to Hurricane Ridge to enjoy some snowshoeing.
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| Jax liked sledding |
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| Maddy had a blast |
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| Maddy's new friend |
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| Daddy Daughter Dance |
Until next time...Enjoy the pics.
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