Norah's First Christmas

Christmas time is so special to my husband and I.  It's the ONLY holiday we've never been apart for.  How is that even possible?!  We've now shared 8 Christmases together, but this one was by far one of the best.  We stayed here in Florida, and my husband couldn't stop saying how he loved that part the most.  We didn't have to divide time between 4 different stops, sit in a car for hours traveling, pack suitcases and try to please everyone.  Next year will bring new traditions, and we're so excited to include our extended family in our holiday plans, but with that said we really valued this last Christmas on our own and especially our first with our daughter.

Christmas 2008

Christmas Eve started with all four of us (Zeus included) dog piled in the bed, cooing, laughing and thinking back on last year's Eve.  It's hard for us to believe this time last year we found out our McBaby was a girl!  Now we have the most beautiful, healthy, vivacious, personality to the brim little girl to call our own.

Christmas Eve 2014

We baked cookies for Santa, wrapped presents, watched Christmas movies, and even read "The Night Before Christmas."

"More!" 

Finally time to put the cookies and cheese out for Santa and Santa Mouse!  We know she's too little yet to comprehend these traditions, but it just tickles us to be able to start these with her.

Every year we decorate with Christmas pictures of years past...it's my favorite Christmas decor.

Christmas Morning!!!

Can't wait to bike in Tulsa with this!

Not too interested in presents this year!

I had Kit a ring made with Norah's first curl while her hair was still dark brown!

Norah and her stocking

Preferred the box better

Happy buried in Christmas wrappings

Bubble bread

Christmas cereal

Ended the day with our traditional Christmas Day walk on Mexico Beach.

Norah June was truly the reason for our season.  We didn't go crazy with presents.  We didn't spend a lot of money, but what we did spend was time together.  We made wonderful memories, gained a couple pounds or two, developed more laugh lines and really had the best Christmas ever thanks to our sweet Norah.  We hope we can always remember what's important around this crazy busy time of year.  We hope to always keep things simple, in perspective and remember to have fun.  We still didn't incorporate everything we wanted to this year as far as traditions go, but there's always next year.  Next year will be CRAZY, but we're ready.  It's hard to imagine an 18 month old Norah walking around opening presents on her own.

Merry First Christmas Norah June!