An Elliott Christmas

We spent a blistery, snowy Christmas Day

 evening in front of the fire with these crazies,

 but oh so cuties..

I have no idea what stars aligned on this Christmas. 

But, we got not only one- but, two- TWO pictures of everyone

 looking at the camera, with mostly normal faces, happy, and all eyes open! 

 Best. Christmas. Present. Ever.

Great Buddies. 14 combined years of mischief...where has the time gone?

 and of course, no photo-op is complete without

the crazy follow-up:

Little Benji is sweeter than you can imagine. 

We all want to hug and squeeze him...

all the time. 

I mean- how can you not love that face? 

Colie- he's 5! Five- too big! 

This hat is perfect for him and his scratchy sweet voice...

and the final silly...love them all. 

a very, merry Christmas.

It's the Holiday Season

I had this song in my head all of December...

Happy Holiday  

While the merry bells keep ringing

May your every wish come true

Happy Holiday  

Happy Holiday

May the calendar keep bringing

Happy Holidays to you

It's the holiday season

And Santa Claus is coming back

The Christmas snow is white on the ground

When old Santa gets into town

He'll be coming down the chimney, down 

Coming down the chimney, down 

It's the holiday season

And Santa Claus has got a toy 

For every good girl and good little boy

He's a great big bundle of joy

He'll be coming down the chimney, down 

Coming down the chimney, down 

He'll have a big fat pack upon his back 

And lots of goodies for you and me 

So leave a peppermint stick for old St. Nick

Hanging on the Christmas tree

I love this song.
It was written by Irvin Berlin and first performed by Bing Crosby in 1942.
For some reason, that era of our culture evokes the Christmas season to me.
I love vintage photographs of children sledding in the snow.
Various scenes from A Christmas Story play through my head.
And, I dream of a time when you tied your tree to the top of your wood-paneled station wagon in the snow from a local farmer rather than Lowe's into the trunk of a 4-door sedan...
when downtown shop windows were full of the season,
and quite possibly Christmas actually started in December and not June....

However, I still love Christmas. I just want more of the 40's in my home and a little less of the now during this time of year. I played vintage Christmas music nearly all of the time if we were home, we always had a fire roaring, I baked more than I had in a long time, and we just enjoyed our cozy home, our fun little family, and our larger crazy families...just kidding guys- kind of:) 

Jett wrote this note all by himself. I love it.

misspelled backward words and all.

I will treasure it forever, for so quickly this moment will be past.

nothing makes me happier than seeing Jett so surprised and happy about something- 

whether a big new lego or a little stocking stuffer...

he is almost always smiling. but his face in these shots is priceless. 

Trying out some new toys...

Watching the snow fall..

A Very. Merry. and White. Christmas.

A Bradford Christmas

We traveled to Roff the weekend before Christmas for a day of farm fun...

It was a relaxing day, full of food, games, movies, and plenty of play time. 

It was a Very. Merry. Christmas.

Jett had no time for hugs- he had to get to playing with his cousins.

Santa made his appearance

and was as jovial as ever...

Admiring Mom's "bird's nest" necklace. 

I love Etsy...

The kids digging in to their stockings...

I love how Jett is so poised in nervous excited anticipation 

of Jake's stocking treasures 

(no doubt his mind is pondering if stocking might hold what he sees)

A Pasta Crimper!!!

For my handsome homemade ravioli maker!

 

It's LegoLand! Let the building begin...

Love this shot of my parents.

 My Dad had given my Mom her Christmas gift.

I think he chose well:)

Time with Grammy. I always enjoy visits with my Grandma. 

She has great stories- new and old that always make me laugh. She has had a hard life, 

but still has a joy in her eyes that never fades...

Love this shot too. 

Emma is adjusting her greats birds nest necklace. 

She sent me a letter after Christmas thanking me for her necklace. 

She had worn it to the Senior Citizens Center and one of her best friends 

told her she wished her grandchildren thought she was special. 

This is so sad to me.

 I hope that we instill in Jett the great value of family, 

especially our "Grands and Greats"...

All of the Greats with Grammy

Martin Park

Martin Park is such a hidden treasure! 

I hadn't been in years and we had never taken Jett. 

So, when we ventured to the park on an unseasonably warm end of November day we were awed. 

Every curve in each path revealed some new and yet unknown jewel...

all hidden behind banks, dentists offices, neighborhoods, and a simple gate. 

Who knew?!