Home for the Holidays

I wasn’t sure how the holidays would be this year since I was having a scheduled c-section with Hayden just days before thanksgiving, but it turned out to be a wonderful, family-filled season even with both of our families being 4 hours away.

Makeshift Photo Shoot

The lighting was great the day I took these because all I used was my iPhone. My friend was on her way to take fancier photos, but I started shooting with my phone in case the kids would no longer cooperate. These pics were better than I could have hoped for– and good thing because by the time she arrived, the baby was awake and Annabelle was tired of having her photo taken.

Products Pictured:

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Tree is from Target; Metal Christmas sign is from Michaels; Fur garland, fur beanbag pouf and papasan chair all from Pier 1.

Other moments from the holidays…

When we moved to Pittsburgh, I had to make it clear with family that this meant we would not be traveling home for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. It’s my feeling that kids should go to sleep in their own beds on Christmas Eve and wake up with the excitement of looking under their own tree to see what Santa left them. All Annabelle wanted this year was Pokémon from build-a-bear…

Santa delivered! 🎅🏼

By the way… have you seen the “Capture the Magic” app? Take a look:

It certainly does add an extra element of magic into the holiday for little ones. Annabelle gets so excited.

My parents were both here for the arrival of Hayden and my mom and stepdad stuck around for Thanksgiving. Josh’s family and my brother and his family all came the week after Christmas. It was perfect. It wasn’t overwhelming, it was enough time in between each holiday or visit to clean and put gifts away before piling on a bunch more, and it gave us time alone as a new family of four to enjoy each other as well.

What are your family traditions for the holidays? I’m looking for ideas! Comment below.