Merry First Christmas

The First Christmas - wrapped in nostalgia and expectation yet not actually recalled by the one whom it is all about. Funny isn't it?

I wasn't sure how much Emerson would really get into Christmas this year, but we tried to do a few things to make it stand out, for us adults anyway. We made a special ornament, picked out a few gifts and tried to share the excitement of the season. Fortunately, there is some forgiveness while we try to establish our family traditions, since these first few years give us some room for trial and error. 

In the end, it turned out Emerson loved pulling the bows from the gifts. She didn't care too much for unwrapping (why would you when you have that cool bow!?) and she was only occasionally interested in the gift itself ;). 

One of the traditions in my family is decorating the tree with Christmas movies or music and hot cider. Emerson got in on some of this action.

Her special 'First Christmas' ornament for grandma

Checking out the action

Getting a ride on Daddy to check out the Angel

A late night with our tree at home.

Christmas catch-lights 

(our tree at home)

I have no idea how or why this picture is snowing. Seriously. No idea.

With her special ornament

Her hand print First Christmas ornament 

In her Christmas dress for a practice photoshoot.

We have quite a bit of holiday festivities between our two families, starting with Christmas Eve service. I love starting the holiday off with sweet reminder of what the season is about. My favorite part is listening to the Christmas story from Luke and finishing up with Silent Night by candlelight. I wanted to get a sweet picture of her looking at all the candles, but she saw her daddy's and wanted it. No time for decent pictures!

After the service we went to Blake's family's Christmas eve party for carols and a visit from Santa (aka Uncle David). We might not always make it to this event, but this year we had a special present to pick up. Her hand knit stocking from Great Grandma D, which matches the rest of Blake's family's. Very special since Grandma D said that she was done two stockings ago! 

She liked it at first. 

Her first Christmas present... she's intrigued. 

Checking out the stocking

And she's done.

Checking out her second cousin Finn. Still holding her wrapping paper scrap. 

Aaaand Finn is done. He can crawl now soooooo. Peace.

Next up, Christmas morning. This year we were at Blake's family's for the morning. It was a wonderful morning and a little bit of a blur with a squirming little one on my lap!

Cousins

Oh look, a bow.

With her special stocking. 

Hmm.. ya, I'll eat it.. with or without the paper.

The first present that she really took interest in,
she practically leaped out of my lap to get her mouth on this when I opened it. 

 We also went to Blake's grandparent's house to see his mom's family and opened a few presents. I only took one picture there though!

In the evening we made our way to my parents' house and had dinner with my grandparents.  After dinner... presents! We scaled down this year and just did stocking stuffer type presents for everyone.

Visiting with G. Grandma S

Passing out the stockings. 

L-R: My brother Jordan, my sister-in-law Theresa (and the bun in her oven), my brother Jared and Blake. 

Trying on her cousin-to-be's hat with daddy-to-be Uncle Jared

Opening presents with Uncle Jordan

The day after Christmas with some of her new toys.

Playing with Grandma

In her sweater from daddy

Checking out Great Grandpa's buttons. 

It was a wonderful first Christmas. Emerson was spoiled, but not too spoiled. She was interested in the festivities, but not too interested (and not mobile, so that helped). We all enjoyed the fun of watching her checking out the new things of the season. Can't wait until next year!