Christmas Eve 2009

Brian told me before we were married that he wasn't into Santa Claus...  As sad as that may be to some (and to me, at first) I realized what a blessing it was to TRULY focus on Christ this Christmas.  I didn't have to worry about staying up late putting gifts together or waking up early to begin the chaos.  It made the season much more enjoyable and sentimental.  With that in mind, we decided to take Daniel for his first trip to see the nativity scene at Opryland Hotel on Christmas Eve.  I don't know if this will become a tradition, but it was a beautiful thing - standing outside looking at and reflecting on the real meaning of the holiday with our very own first-born son.

Standing in front of one of the huge Christmas trees

With his Mimi at the Opryland Hotel

Fascinated by the BIG decorations on the tree

With Mommy at the Red Poinsettia tree

Outside in front on the nativity scene with Daddy and the giant "Bible"

Feeling very humbled with our own first-born son in the middle of the nativity scene

Mommy and Mimi freezing underneath the lighted trees

Then, when we got home, we decided to start our Christmas Eve traditions.  We began with Daddy reading the Christmas Story from Luke to Daniel.  I couldn't believe how well Daniel sat and listened!  He, of course, had to have his hands on the Bible, though.

Next, since Jesus was given three gifts by the wisemen, our children will also receive three every year.

First, Daniel got the God Gave Us Christmas book and a lullaby Worship cd.

Secondly, he saw what he'd been eyeing for weeks!  Daddy brought out his learning musical table.

And, last but DEFINITELY not least, his new play yard, complete with foam mats and ALL of his Christmas goodies inside - the extensions to make the area larger came in the mail a week later!  (Okay, so maybe this was more of a gift to Mommy and Daddy.)

All in all, we had a blessed Christmas Eve.  Mommy and Daddy opened their gifts to one another while Daniel played with his, and we were able to reflect on how  good God had been to us over the year!