I Didn't Have To Dream Of A White Christmas: We Got One!

We traveled over to Ohio to visit our families for Christmas this year.

The 4 Generations of my mom's side! 

We got a few huge snowfalls while we were there, which was fun! Driving through it was less fun, but snow truly makes the season feel special to me. It's more exciting now that we live in a location with little to no snow at all.

We ventured to midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, as my family has for a few years now. I love the fact that I don't get anxiety about crowds there (it's full, but not overcrowded). It's quiet, reverent, and beautiful. We spend the evening at my grandmother's house (she's pictured above) for a party, and then drove the half mile over to her church (also the church my mom grew up attending), St. Nicholas. We arrived with a drowsy Henry, who fell asleep just before Mass started, and slept for the whole thing. 

Henry sort of understood the concept of presents, I think? He got a lot of clothes...

A small part of me was disappointed that Henry isn't old enough to really play in the snow. It would have been fun to experience that this year....but I guess I'm glad we got to skip the mess until next year! :-P

Our families of course had a good time seeing Henry and playing with him. Now that he's 9 months old, he really is starting to goof off and be funny. He also learned to crawl and pull himself up on objects, which made the whole vacation very interesting (and exhausting!).

Being silly with my Dad, Mom, and sister.

In all, it was a good vacation! Our families are very kind and generous with thoughtful gifts and a lot of love, and we are always happy to visit. It was a little overwhelming for Henry to see so many new people and places, but nursing him and keeping him close at night I believe helped him keep is stress low. People kindly kept their distance when he first met them, and then he gradually warmed up to pretty much everyone. He particularly loved my husband's cousin, who he would smile at and crawl to at every opportunity! I'm guessing it's because she is a new mother also, and he sensed comfort and security with her :-)

The drive both ways went extremely smoothly, as Henry decided to sleep for much of it. It really was a nice little trip, but I was very very ready to get back home and relax! Now that we're home, I'm exhausted, totally behind on laundry, and the owner of a mostly bare refrigerator. Ack! 

How was your Christmas? Who all celebrated a little one's first Christmas?