Christmas 2012 Recap

Christmas is magical.

Christmas with a husband is magical, but a little stressful sharing/making/compromising traditions.

Christmas with a husband, a kid, a brother-in-law, a sister flying in a snowstorm in her state, a snowstorm in VA, and tires that are starting to wear is, um... magical, stressful, exhausting, exciting, frustrating, and yet still magnificent?

Lil Bro flew in and arrived around 8pm Christmas Eve.  Not the best timing, but flights are crazy expensive for better time options.  

Despite 90% of our wrapping taking place between 6pm and midnight Christmas Eve, the tree at Mama and Papa H's house had loads of gifts underneath.  Everyone having sworn to not make it a big Christmas this year apparently meant nothing.  We'd all decided to spoil each other.  

PDG loved it.  He was fascinated by the lights, intrigued by the wrapping paper, comforted by all the arms wanting to hold (and feed) him all day long.  Baby heaven.  The day was so busy with eating and laughing and cooking more and napping when PDG napped that we didn't even finish all the gifts.  (Ok, not the first time that's happened for us H's.... we really enjoy the process of opening and reveling in each gift.  I think I mentioned all our traditions)

On Wednesday, when we G's made the trip from VA to MD for some G-Family celebrating, it got scary.  I had started a Christmas blog post on my new tablet (Thanks J-Man!) while we were driving, but when we hit the brakes and slid right through the intersection, I couldn't focus quite as well.  We had some more brake/tire issues, and one super-duper highway on-ramp fishtail that made me eat any excitement over having enjoyed a white Christmas, but J-Man skillfully navigated us without a scratch.  It was a nailbiting 3+ hour drive, but thankfully PDG slept through most of it.

 The next day, when Big Sis FINALLY made it 12 hours after her original schedule, we headed back to the H's for more gifts and food and cooking and napping.

By the time she and Lil Bro left a few days later, we had all been sufficiently spoiled in some way or another.  I'd even gotten my hair done!  We'd also endured food poisoning, dead car batteries, crazy airports and I-need-my-space moments.

It was hectic, and nothing went quite according to plan (including PDG being terrified of a rolling, singing ball we got him) but I wouldn't trade this year for the world.

**I know the formatting isn't pretty on this one, but there were just too many photos to choose!