Braelynn’s First Christmas

Wait, what? Christmas is over? Already? Where did it go?
I’m a huge lover of the Christmas season – I love to decorate and listen to Christmas music and drive around to look at the lights and go shopping and wrap presents and find perfect gifts and eat good food! I LOVE Christmas time! And I knew I would love it even more this year since it was Braelynn’s first Christmas!

I love that Braelynn was almost a year old for her first Christmas – it made it so much fun! Did she understand the concept of what was going on? No. Did she understand when people would talk to her in the store & ask her if she saw Santa yet? No. Did she understand why we got all excited when we put her to bed “Christmas Eve”? No. But she sure loved opening gifts!
I honestly didn’t think she would understand the concept of ripping open wrapping paper to reveal the present inside, since most kids on their first birthdays don’t get it! Oh, but she definitely got it, man. SO much fun! She’s all good & practiced up for her birthday next week!

We had multiple Christmas celebrations over a 10 day period. Because we have family spread out all over the state of Pennsylvania and we knew we’d be doing a lot of traveling over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we celebrated our own Christmas early. Like, the week before Christmas – early.
It was so fun to be parents & put Braelynn to bed & then spread all of the presents around the tree! That’s something we’ve never done before! It was delightful to get up, open presents, make a nice yummy breakfast, and then relax for the day in our new house with just us as a little family, with no pressure to leave & go anywhere or do anything!

“Here Dad – check out this Hippo I got!”

One of the things I specifically asked for was a book called “At Long Last” – by a girl I follow on Instagram [The story is a little more complicated than that – I found/follow her because she’s my wedding photographer’s sister-in-law. Yes, I still keep up with my wedding photographer!] I was so pumped to open it up!
Shameless plug: but I read it in less than 2 days & you should totally go get yourself a copy – it’s delicious!!

Learning how to rip the paper..

Mastering the skill..

If you don’t know – my husband is a roller coaster nerd with a capital N – and I created him several posters for his office out of roller coaster photos I have taken over the years. He was super surprised & very excited to say the least! It was definitely one of the best gifts I’ve ever thought of for him! Follow him on Instagram here!

What’s a new house without a Keurig on the counter? I didn’t realize how much I loved/needed one until we moved out of my parent’s house & didn’t have one anymore! Thank you Black Friday sales!
Derrick is also a movie nerd with a capital N and watches a weekly YouTube show called Movie Fights. Seriously – I almost enjoy it sometimes too. It’s a fun show. If you like movies, you should check it out!

Braelynn’s “big” gift was a rocking horse – which she totally loves to ride! She’s just a little small for it yet!

Oh and yes – Abby got presents too – don’t worry!

So, then it was on to Meme & Grandpa’s house for the annual Christmas Eve breakfast & brunch. Braelynn & I got to hang out with the family while Derrick was working and before we hit the road that afternoon to go visit Derrick’s family.

We spent Christmas Day & the rest of Christmas weekend with Derrick’s family!
We made one attempt at a cousin-photo – and this is what we got – haha! Braelynn was NOT into it at all!

“I don’t care that your name is on it, Cameron, this one is definitely mine.”

Showing off her present-unwrapping-skills.

Playing with Papa.

Then it was back home to celebrate Christmas with my family! Everyone came over to our house & we had a grand time.

I love this picture of me & my Grandma!

And there you have it – our Christmas re-cap. And now we’re on the fast-track for Braelynn’s first birthday! Omigosh, it’s coming up SO fast!!