Christmas with the Kahles

We headed down south for Christmas this year to spend the holiday in Jacksonville Beach with my family.  What did Santa give me this year?  A Z-pack.  After I spent four hours Christmas Eve morning at an urgent care center and was diagnosed with a sinus infection, a throat infection, and bronchitis.  Got my Z-pack, and I was determined not to let anything get me down on James’ first Christmas.

Meanwhile, James was enjoying his first Christmas Eve.  I had so many Christmas outfits for him, but I got so sick and didn’t realize until later that he spent the day in an Abbey Road shirt and sweatpants.  Oh well, he pulled it off.

My mom spent Christmas Eve baking cookies and candy, while Papa and James enjoyed eating these cookies.

Aunt Andrea stopped by with a present for James.  A 3 in1 walker, ride on, and scooter!  The excitement began immediately, and I think this will be a favorite for years.  Thank you, Aunt Andrea!

James often snuck over to the tree and got into the presents…

which reminded us of a Christmas tradition!  We always opened one present Christmas Eve, and now that we have kids around, we thought we’d bring some of these traditions back!

So, we opened one from Uncle Josh.

And it was much needed (a warm sleeper) and loved (Go Gators!).

Christmas morning was great.  Everyone slept in at the house so Justin, James and I enjoyed our first Christmas as a family of three.  My Z-pack kicked in, and I was feeling much better.  We made coffee, listened to Charlie Brown’s Christmas and played with James.  It was perfect.

And then everyone woke up, and we put the turkey in before naptime.  Another tradition (that sounds weird now that I think about it, but I can’t remember a Thanksgiving or Christmas without it) is my Dad flies the turkey.  He picks it up like it’s flying and we all would laugh and laugh and laugh.  Since I’m big on tradition, Justin will just have to go with this one.

All the family came over, and cousins Grey and James were ready to share their first Christmas.

Grey put on her Christmas dress, and I made sure to get some pictures of this beauty.

We visited on the porch before opening presents.

They say you get more out of giving than of receiving.  We open presents a little different than most families.  We open them one by one, and it typically takes a couple of hours.  Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Josh starting off, “{Fill name in here}, open my present first!”  He can’t wait for everyone to open his presents.  A true example of the fulfillment of giving. 

First off: James opens a gift from Josh.  And I absolutely love it!  I mean, every 9 month old needs a pea coat, right?!

And the day continued.

And then Jude and Dena called us outside for their gifts.  What in the world could it have been that they couldn’t carry inside, I was wondering.  (I think Lynyrd wins ‘best picture’ in this one.)

They had painted us all gifts.  I was blown away.  They were beautiful.  And thoughtful.  And ours will always remind me of this Christmas.

We all went back inside, ate Christmas dinner, and then, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Jude singing and playing the guitar.  Except this time, he had his beautiful family with him.

It’s a dream to share Christmas day with a wonderful husband and healthy and happy baby.  It’s also a very special time for my family to be together this holiday.  For whatever reason, or I should say, for all the reasons, this was the best Christmas I’ve ever had.  The love and peace I felt this day is a blessing from God.  Merry Christmas to all… and to all a good night…