Making Christmas

I cant believe its almost Christmas. Reflecting back on last year with Breck still so tiny has made me realize what a difference a year makes. Last year, Breck was bundled tight so we could go for a cold morning walk on Christmas day. This year he's practically walking, and all those clothes now packed in a box. Christmas with a baby is so much different. I look back on my favorite moments and memories as a kid and want nothing more than to create a collection of those for Breck. Its been such an exciting and yet surprising December. We bought our tree and decorated it. I love decorating the tree with Dave. I love that he gets into it, even if it might be just for me. I love that we can laugh where most people might get frustrated. I love that he compliments how good the lights look when I'm done with my OCD stringing process. And I love that we talk about the ornaments as we hang them up. There are a lot of things I cant remember but the magic of an ornament is that each has a story, and I can recall all of them. We did our 2nd annual trip to Swansons to see the Reindeer and the trains. I love this photo of Breck and Dave peeking thru to see the train set. I know next year Breck will be that much more excited. We went to the Special Santa event that Erin does. She's my inspiration. Another 2nd annual tradition, going to see Santa with the cousins. Erin and Catherine and I met in downtown Seattle with Ryan, Nicole, Megan and Breck. Dave met us this year too. While Santa was a nice man, Breck and Nicki both screamed. Someday that will the photo Breck laughs at when he's 18. Then my own tradition- 2 years now- making my mom's peppermint bark recipe.  Dave designed me a cool label and I packaged them up all fun. Felt good to make a gift, package it pretty and send to our distant relatives. And then finally, the snow fall. We've had record snowfall for about 18 years. Its triggered every emotion. First the anticipation and excitement. Then stress. Then joy. Then boredom. Then innocence. Now acceptance. 

Its still snowing out. 4 days of snow. 12 straight hours of constant snowfall. 2 failed attempts at shoveling our front entry. 1 Christmas packed full of lifelong memories.

I am thankful for the snow to give us the best gifts of all- time and a changed perspective.