Merry Christmas and Happy Everything! My parents left today after spending a few days celebrating the holiday with us. The weekend felt full of small, meaningful moments — some I photographed and some I didn’t, like the hurried moments before church. The baby took a long nap today, which gave me time to go through the photos I did manage to take. Below is a selection from our Christmas weekend, captured in quick, cozy slices of family life.
My mom has worked at Target for nearly twenty years. She helped get me my first job there when I was 15, and over the years I’ve worked at several stores while in college and later when we moved for different assignments. We both have a soft spot for Target, so gifts that nod to that shared affection were perfect. One of her co-workers designs shirts, and this year she made shirts that read “Dear Santa, Just take me to Target.” It felt like the ideal, slightly silly present for two people who truly love that red bullseye.
Christmas Eve felt like the calm before a joyful storm. We set out milk and cookies, set up pajamas, and did the small rituals that make the night feel special for the kids. There’s something magical about the slow, quiet evening that always builds anticipation.
Christmas morning arrived with the usual excitement. We tried to be intentional about giving useful, wanted gifts instead of overwhelming the children with quantity. Santa left Kindle Fires for the older kids along with a few simple items from their lists — Caroline asked for socks and notebooks, Evan asked for a laser gun and Legos — and the rest of the family helped fill in with thoughtful, playful presents.
From us, the kids received clothes and plenty of books. Extended family gave meaningful, well-chosen gifts that kept the kids engaged and imaginative for hours. We’re planning another small gift exchange when my in-laws arrive in a few days, so the celebration will continue in a cozy, extended way.
Overall, the weekend was warm, loud, and full of small traditions that mean a lot to our family. I hope your holiday was equally bright and restful. We plan to treat the rest of winter break as an extension of Christmas — more matching pajamas, more slow mornings, and more time to savor these moments together.
Wishing you and yours a joyful, peaceful season. We’ll be enjoying the afterglow of Christmas for the next few weeks, and I’ll likely share more photos of our cozy winter days and matching jammies soon.