December 2011, I was (very) pregnant with Luke. I cannot begin to explain what it's like to be pregnant with a little boy on Christmas. I began to understand Mary's story in a totally new way. Christmas carols took on a new meaning for me. Singing about our Lord Jesus as an infant brought on so many emotions I don't remember having prior to my pregnancy.
Fast forward to December 2012! Luke is almost a year old (!) and this Christmas was even more emotional and exciting. I now understand loving a child unconditionally. I'm so thankful that Luke was old enough this Christmas to truly celebrate the season. We danced to Christmas carols, attended church together and sent out our Christmas cards. (Some of our cards were a little crinkly this year... I hoped you would think it was the post office that did the damage, but I now confess that it may have been my little helper.)
I'm looking so forward to our next Christmas together. I already purchased a child's nativity set and can't wait to start talking to Luke about Joseph, Mary and Jesus.
We were so fortunate this year to get to spend Christmas in Indiana with family. Many years Nick's work schedule conflicts with holidays and we're working around his schedule to celebrate - but this year, we were able to be in Indiana for nearly a week! It was the best.
The first weekend of December the Moser family gathered for our Christmas celebration. It didn't work out this year with so many different work schedules to get together on Christmas day, but we found a way to spend an entire weekend together. It was so wonderful seeing Luke with his Grandpa and Grandma Moser, aunts, uncles and sweet cousins. Luke was able to meet Santa Claus for the first time... but since Luke is generally afraid of men with facial hair, he wasn't quite sure of good, ol' St. Nick.
We found time at the Moser's for a quick snapshot, which ended up being this year's Christmas card.
First presents from his stocking from Grandma and Grandpa Moser.
Luke, meet Santa. (You'll thank us later!)
Luke with his awesome big cousins. They helped with the Santa experience.
On Christmas Eve we were able to celebrate with the extended Moser family - grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins! It's quite the tradition and quite the crowd. I was so thankful our little man slept lots in the car that day and was able to stay awake and meet so many family members.
Merry Christmas, Great-Grandma Moser.
Giving Great-Grandpa Moser a high five.
Christmas morning Santa followed us to Indiana. Luke received the Little People barn and tractor. He loves opening the barn doors and finding the animals hidden in the silo. He played with his farm the entire week; Santa was so pleased that this gift got so much love and playtime.
Thank you, Santa! (Sleepy Luke waking up to great presents. This year, Mommy and Daddy were more excited about Santa's visit than Luke. I have a feeling this will change next year.)
First Christmas Cookie... yum! Thanks Grandpa Keller!
Leanne and Mikey were able to join us the weekend before New Year's for our Keller family Christmas celebration. Thank you all for the lovely presents!
Mother and daughter, Luke's Grandma Keller and Great-Grandma Able.
One of this year's favorite gifts. Nick's Keurig gets lots of use.
For Grandpa's basement.
Luke got a rocking chair that's just his size from Grandma and Grandpa Keller.
All in all, we had a wonderful Christmas season! Love was shared, Christmas cookies were consumed and we'll have lots of memories of our first Christmas with our little man.
