Baby's First Christmas

Very excited about her first Christmas

We traveled 1050 miles in six days to make sure that Kate's very first Christmas was a memorable one filled with family.  While the constant packing up, unloading, and repacking (we never spent consecutive nights anywhere) was exhausting, it was all well worth it and we would do it again... though not anytime soon. Here are some of the highlights from the many Christmases we celebrated this past week.

Christmas with the Crawford Family

My sister with her baby, and me with mine

Christmas at Aunt Claudia's

Christmas at Oma and Opa's- Curious baby getting the hang of this gift opening thing

We celebrated my birthday at my parent's house in the afternoon and then that evening we pretended like it was Christmas Eve.  I'm pretty sure Christmas happens whenever we all get together, regardless of the date on the calendar, and with Christmas classics like Vanillekipferl and Spaetzle in our bellies, it was the real thing.

Kate tests out my old rocking horse and eagerly eyes the cookie platter

One of the biggest hits as far as gifts went, were the bag of Mega Blocks Kate received from Claudia and Stephen.  The whole family enjoyed them!  The most impressive gift this year though was the handmade hippopotamus my Mom knit for Kate, making that old song "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" come true for her.

Mega Blocks- not just fun for babies

Max the Hippo & Kate, a friendship begins

Charlotte fighting to keep the toy Santa brought her

 On Christmas Eve we awoke to snow and hit the road again to start heading south.  We went to church Christmas Eve so our vocal little songstress could join in singing the Christmas carols.  She let out shrieks of joy even when it wasn't time to sing, and the candlelight service was nostalgic and lovely.  Afterwards we put Kate to bed and feasted on smoked turkey.

Silent Night?  Not with this loud baby in the pew

Christmas morning at Grammie and Granddaddy Wheeler's meant more presents and fun, by now Kate was an old pro at ripping into wrapping paper, climbing into boxes, and exploring everyone's gifts.

Let me help you with that Grammie

Someone must have been a very good girl this year

The sweetest gift Kate received at Matt's parents house for Christmas was a tiny rocking chair, just her size.  She loves it and can't stop climbing in and out of it and excitedly rocking back and forth.

Perfect fit

Having Kate around this holiday season made everything more fun and extra special compared to past years.  She brings so much joy to our lives and I can't wait to continue experiencing Christmas through her eyes in years to come.  It was a very merry Christmas indeed, and one we won't soon forget.