I remember one Christmas when I was a teenager when I was a little bit disappointed with what I got (or didn't get). I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I was sulky for a little while.
I seriously want to go back and slap my teenage self in the face and yell "THAT IS NOT WHAT MATTERS."
Because now opening presents on Christmas morning isn't even my favorite part of the day. I mean yes, it is exciting and fun to get gifts to give gifts. But my very favorite part of this Christmas was just spending time with family.
The older I get, the faster time seems to be going. I've suddenly been hit with the harsh reality that things don't ever stay the same for long. So this year I soaked in every minute of watching my kids play with their Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and cousins. There is something so magical about sharing your kids with your family, and watching their relationships grow. There were so many perfect little moments of laughter, love and perfect happiness that I just wanted to freeze and remember forever.
The part where we were all hit with a nasty stomach bug though, that part I wouldn't mind forgetting. ;)
The day after Christmas we dug through the bins of snow gear my parents had saved over the years, grabbed tubes we used for the pool in the summer, and walked over to a little tiny hill down the street.
Even though it was such a simple little thing, the kids had a BLAST. They could have stayed there all day if we had waterproof gloves for them all. :P
It ended up being one of my favorite memories from this holiday season.
Now head on over to see some foggy day photos by Blimie T, a Family Documentary Photographer in Milwaukee, WI.