The ghosts of Christmas Past

NOTHING better than these faces!

Allison's first Christmas!

Allison and her cousin Logan Christmas 1989

At South Coast Plaza

Are they cute or what?

I dressed my kids alike until they were old enough to complain

Allison and Papa

Christmas 1989 cousin Logan joins the fun!

I really miss putting cookies and milk out for Santa (and a carrot for his reindeer!)

Oh and the school Christmas concerts....
(Zac is right in the middle in his little gray suit!)

...and the overly-decorated cookies...

And the new jammies on Christmas Eve
(we had quite the late-80s modern look going in the house!)

I have to admit it...sometimes I miss the "good ol' days." Often actually. The Christmas Season when I had little children who were SO excited and happy and on their best behavior for an entire month. I miss making Christmas cookies with more decorations on them than the cookie could hold. I miss the Elementary School Christmas Concerts (Reindeer Rock!) I miss dressing my children alike and I miss taking them and standing in line to see Santa...I miss their sparkling, excited faces when they came down the stairs to see what Santa had brought them! I miss getting their half-wrapped, made-at-school Christmas presents that they were so thrilled to watch me open. I miss new jammies and pictures in front of the fireplace on Christmas Eve. I miss the Christmas spirit that fills the house when there are children who believe in Santa. Thank God I have all my photos. I looked through most of my albums this morning and smiled so big at the wonderful memories that flood my mind when looking at these pictures. I thought I'd share a few today.

I know that life goes on, and kids grow up and that seasons of life DO change. I love hanging out with my adult children and cherish every minute with them! There is just something about secretly shopping for months, hiding gifts in the suitcases in the garage and then getting up at midnight to play Santa. The feeling is not quite the same when you are handing them a gift card.
I am grateful that my family will be together tonight...there are no Santa believers left in Orange County tho...which is kinda sad. Instead, we will be having Mexican food with some cold Coronas, watching a Christmas movie or two and playing Gray's Anatomy trivia.
And actually that sounds kinda nice...less pressure...no midnight assembling of toys...and no one barfing in the night from one-too-many Christmas cookies.
Just the 'big kids' laughing and enjoying the time together...Some things never change.
Merry Christmas Everyone!