Christmas, Sethmas, New Years Au Revoir 2011

This past Christmas was about as perfect as they get.  We were cozy in our home, our home that we are now settled into.  Our four and two year old still believe in Santa and they were working it as best as they could to get on his nice list.  Yet, they aren't old enough to wake up before 7 to open gifts.  We got up around 7:30 (forced them to get church clothes on BEFORE gifts because we knew there was going to be some serious separation anxiety when leaving the new toys to go to church), opened gifts, ate breakfast and have just enjoyed Christmas.

Stella got a doll for Christmas.  Love.

Gifts were exchanged.  It was too early to skype with grandparents or American relatives so it was just us and as I was there with my little family a thought occured to me, "this is my family."  Of course my parents and siblings are still family but MY family is my little family of four.  It was a nice day.  The kids didn't even fight us about having to leave their toys and go to church.  It was so nice.

Sunny in Paris 2011

After Christmas Seth and I decided to take a trip to Paris without the kids.

Merry Sethmas

I love my children (see paragraph 2) but Paris is 10,000x better without them.  I was relaxed and not giving someone water or crackers or yelling at them to not run away or to walk faster or to whatever.  It was Seth and me, the beginning of this family adventure, and it was nice.  It was the most gorgeous day, no wind, lots of sun.  We walked a lot, talked a lot, shopped.  Pretty much perfect.  Then we took the train home and were back in time to put the kiddies to bed.

Then we had New Years.  Off with the old on with the new.

We saw the creepy toy museum of Mechlen

Seth has taken some time off and we have just been doing family things, seeing Brussels, and loving it.  I am so grateful for everything in my life and all I have been given and excited to see what 2012 brings.

Puddles in January (or any month really)