Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Celebrations

Aiden and I went up to my parents house early on Christmas Eve, I had to finish up my homemade Christmas gifts at the last minute due to some sewing complications - let's just say I might need to pay my mom to repair her little vintage sewing machine. We stopped by Starbucks on the way up and I got my FIRST eggnog latte in a "red cup" of the season. Can't believe it took me that long to finally get one. Aiden fell asleep on the way up, and I was a happy girl - sipping my coffee and listen to music.

I finished up my projects and headed down the hill to pick up Jeremy since he had to work until 6:00. We got back and had a fabulous Christmas eve meal of chicken and noodles (a tradition) and stuffed stockings, wrapped some presents with Uncle Adam and set out cookies for Santa. We had red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting in front of the Christmas tree for dessert. Yum! A great night!

Christmas morning was kick back, we had cinnamon rolls and coffee for breakfast and Aiden opened his presents a few at a time so he could play with each one. All the family showed up in the early afternoon and it was pure Christmas chaos, just the way it is supposed to be - boys ripping through their presents and playing with their toys, adults enjoying some cocktails, cooking, watching basketball and of course - the eating!

Aiden got lots of cute new toys and a homemade crayon apron from Aunt Sara, Logan got his air soft gun (look out neighborhood cats!), I got a blender (yay margaritas!) and a food processor (desperately needed) - even Jeremy got his portable hard drive. My homemade Christmas was a success, although it was a little stressful, but I truly do enjoy giving more than getting :)

I hope you all got everything on your Christmas lists this year! I know I did - great food, great times with the family and great memories! Happy holidays!

What I Love About My Christmas Tree

My tree. I love it. It has evolved since Aiden's arrival. I used to be picky about what went on my tree - if it wasn't red, gold or ivory and glittery, it did not go on my tree. Only white lights, no color.

Now, it is brightly light and filled with meaningful ornaments, old favorites, and new ornaments for Aiden.

These are my favorite ornaments from when I was little. The moon is my absolute favorite, just like it was when I was younger. I spent hours looking at the ballerina and thinking it was me, I thought it looked just like me. The ballerina ALWAYS gets a spot at the top of the tree.

I love the birdhouse with a glittery roof and the year on it - 1979. It always has to be under a red light. I don't know why, but I can't change how it has HAD to be for 30 years. The gingerbread house is the ornament we got for Aiden this year, we get him one each year. This one reminded me of my little 1979 bird house and since this year we started the gingerbread house tradition, it was just the right ornament for him (and it has the year, too).

The little wooden train. It is just so darn cute - the funny thing is that I took this when I moved out "just to fill up my tree", now it is one of my favorites.

The ornament on the left is my hand at 1 year old, the one on the right is Aiden's both made out of salt dough. How cute is it that my Grandma had this on her tree for 30 years, saved my hand print all these years and gave it to me? It is so awesome. She is so awesome.

What do I even say about the superman onsie??? It makes me cry. It was given to Aiden by Grandpa Steve and Grandma Trish when he was born and so, so sick. It hung on his isolette and followed him through every hospital transfer and to his new cribs as he got older. It never left his little corner of the NICU for almost 5 months. It is very special to us.

So many of our ornaments just represent us. The martini shaker and glass for me, the electric guitar and computer for Jeremy.

I love that now the bottom is filled with only "kid friendly" ornaments, ones that Aiden can play with and ones that Sara's boys made us. I love that my fancy beaded tree skirt has been replaced by one that has Santa, Reindeer and Snowmen on it.

Most of all, I love that Aiden loves to stare at the lights and the ornaments. The tree makes him smile. It makes him happy, which makes me happy, which is just why I love the holiday season so much!

The Annual Christmas Tree Hunt

The first Sunday in December is always reserved for the annual Walshaw-Ellsworth Christmas tree hunt. Over the years, the hunt has gotten easier.

It went from driving around to tons of tree farms to walking to the Christmas tree farm next door to my parents house.

It went from everyone trying to find the perfect tree to only 3 of us finding a tree (bad fake trees, Ellsworth family, bad).

It went from "Holly, Heather stand by this tree and guard it while we can see if there is a better one" to us being the in charge (oh yes, one day Aiden will be guarding trees for me).

It went from "Dad, can we have some hot chocolate?" to "Dad, where is my JackNog"!

But it has always been FUN! This year was no exception - there was tromping around in borrowed boots in the foot deep snow - with a toddler on me, soaking wet trees and a short time where I lost all sense of direction and could not find my family.

And they're off to find the perfect tree!

All the different types of trees - we were on the hunt for a white fir :)

Me and Aiden - looking all good and happy...no frizzy hair, no wet clothes...yet

Here we are again...still dry

Nana Robyn, Logan and Tanner - Chase was sick :(

So, I am guessing they are saying "Just pick one Heather" - ha ha ;)

Seriously - I wasn't kidding, the trees were soaking WET!

Papa John and Adam getting ready to haul some trees back to the house

And this was after getting lost and getting me and Aiden soaked - he thought it was funny!

 

Adam cut down my Christmas tree this year...he kind of picked it out, too!

After we cut down our trees and hauled them back to the house, we gathered in the kitchen for some good food, good drinks (thanks Adam!) and good times! Aiden crashed out - not sure why he was so tired - I was the one carting him up steep hills and through the forest! We always have a great time, next year let's hope that everyone is WELL and Sara, Chase and Dave can re-join the tree hunt fun!

Nana Robyn, Heather, Gerad, Jackson, Beth and Sue

Me and Heather...and a lovely backdrop of the trailer ;)

Jerry and Sue and their grandkids

The girls...we took some serious pictures, too - but the silly one is my favorite!