Holiday Cheer

Well Christmas 2015 has already come and gone.

It was a blur of final exams, shopping, wrapping, partying, celebrating, Christmas Eve Services, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

Normally we don't get out of Christmas Eve services until really late on Christmas Eve, but this year our church tried something different and our last service was at 4:30. We LOVED it. We came home, ate a nice dinner and then loaded up in our pj's and drove around looking at lights. This may be a new favorite tradition. We were going to take hot chocolate with us in the car, but it was like 90 degrees so we ran the ac while we listened to Christmas tunes instead. 

The next morning was a quiet morning just the five of us while we opened gifts.

Not sure what was happening here, but I think the excitement was too much for Isaac. Lol.

Santa brought a rock kit for Owen, all things football for Isaac, and American Girl accessories for the diva.

After eating breakfast and loading up the car, we headed to the mountains to spend Christmas with my parents and brother's family.

While there we did a lot of eating and some hiking too. The girls made scarves and enjoyed their cousin time.

Isaac even did some whittling like a true mountain man.....in his football jersey..... 

We definitely missed my sister and her crew, but enjoyed the time away from the stress of the real world.

Now it's back to studying and working and figuring out a new budget called the "Rachel is in school full time now" budget. Love me some good ole money debates. ;)

It's good times here. Good times.

These pics show the great parts of our holiday and there were plenty of smiles and laughter. But unfortunately there was another side too and it's called Surviving Christmas with Autism. My thoughts on that are more complicated and unsettling so that's another post for another day.

But for now?

We are wishing blessings and a Happy New Year to you and yours!