But this year we did make a conscious effort to have a few slower moments.
Scaling down our Christmas shopping and "busy-ness" this year left time for things like family movie nights, gingerbread houses, and using our resources to teach Avery about the giving spirit of Christmas.
Every year Matt's work outdoes themselves with their annual Kids Holiday Party. Games, bouncehouses, raffles, facepainting, etc, etc, etc. And Santa, of course. This was Lear's first experience with the man in red. No tears, just generally curious about the whole thing.
At her preschool class Christmas program, Miss A was front and center. Without hesitation she belted out her rehearsed songs... maybe she really is destined for the big stage!
There was also more time for simply being together, enjoying time with family. Gigi and Jimster (newly nicknamed "The Candyman") stopped in for a day and what a joy it was to share a sunny afternoon with them.
There's something truly magical about the tree all lit up at night. We had a hard time getting Avery to keep any houselights on at all!
Because we had travel plans for Christmas, we opened all the big family gifts a few days early. The Raiders backpack and remote control airplane were big hits!
Skiing for Christmas is a Coe family tradition. After a 3 year hiatus, our 4-some joined my family in Park City, Utah for what was supposed to be a wonderful winter vacation.
Except, the very first night Avery came down with a wicked fever, deep cough, vomiting and severe congestion. At least it looked beautiful outside!
They did bring their stockings, which Santa filled to the brim with wonderful things to open Christmas morning.
In short order, Lear caught his sister's crud. So the adults all took turns skiing half-days. We got just the right mix of gorgeous sun and clouds dumping new powder.
But sharing air for 7 days with sick kids resulted in us all getting horrifically ill. It will be a trip of legend, but not the good kind. Needless to say, few pictures were taken. But if that first pic was the "nice" group shot... this is how we all really felt. Grateful for the time spent together nonetheless.
Fortunately, on the very last day Avery was well enough to spend a couple hours on a bunny hill. She had been begging us all week to let her ski and finally got her shot.
I was so proud of her! But after about 5 runs she was totally over it.
Nothing that a little time on the tubing hill didn't fix!
They did bring their stockings, which Santa filled to the brim with wonderful things to open Christmas morning.
In short order, Lear caught his sister's crud. So the adults all took turns skiing half-days. We got just the right mix of gorgeous sun and clouds dumping new powder.
But sharing air for 7 days with sick kids resulted in us all getting horrifically ill. It will be a trip of legend, but not the good kind. Needless to say, few pictures were taken. But if that first pic was the "nice" group shot... this is how we all really felt. Grateful for the time spent together nonetheless.
Fortunately, on the very last day Avery was well enough to spend a couple hours on a bunny hill. She had been begging us all week to let her ski and finally got her shot.
I was so proud of her! But after about 5 runs she was totally over it.
Nothing that a little time on the tubing hill didn't fix!
TwentyTwelve certainly won't go down in the books as the best year on record. But we move into 2013 grateful for all the blessings we do have and confident in God's desire and ability to shape the direction of our new adventures!
