Whenever I ask my Dad what he wants for Christmas, without fail, he always answers "a heart full of love." Looking back at all the pictures from our Holiday season, we had lots of moments with our hearts full of love for our Family, Friends, Christmas cookies, and our Holiday traditions. Thanks Dad for passing on a family tradition. I'm going to give the same answer from now on....so my kids can now roll their eyes and still get me a sweater anyway for years to come.
Our 2nd Christmas in the Beast was low key and cozy. Sickness aided in the low key factor but we made sure to rally and have family adventures whenever we could.
Kicked off the Holiday season with some Gingerbread cookie decorating with Oma and Lolo. Lolo visited for the weekend. Thank you! Oma and Opa left early December.
Did a quick surprise trip to Chicago for my parents' 50th Anniversary family celebration. I need to surprise loved ones more often - super fun. This is at the Chicago Christmas market and as usual giggles ensue by me and Lolo.
The girls for a little festive family fun. Nice to see all our kids together.
Family Friday Holiday Party. Once upon a time, there weren't enough kids to fit on a single couch for a group shot.
Dear dear friends Dot and Troy stopping by to visit before heading back East for the Holidays. So grateful they moved here in early 2015.
A visit by Santa created quite the excitement
Christmas Eve. Christkind came with presents while we were at Mass. Yes, in our house, Christkind comes Christmas Eve and Santa comes Christmas morning.
Our Christmas Eve Dinner. Steak - Italienischer Salat (my Oma's recipe) - Green Beans. Tradition! Lily's animated facial expressions are over the top these days.
Christmas Tree with presents after kids fell asleep.
Christmas Morning
Lily wearing new dress up clothes g'ma made while playing with her new game Simon.
Nate's 39th Birthday lunch with the family
Nate night skiing with Lily
Family Ice Skating. Ice Skating, Tennis and Swimming are some of the few activities that all the kids are interested in.
Catching Elise in the treat cabinet
NYE with neighbor friends. East Coast countdown rocks!
Club time with a little Tennis after family swim
Woke up on the last day of Holiday to snow
This picture gave me a flashback to 3 years ago when we first bought this sled in Munich
Feb 2013 - bringing our new sled home to Prinzregentenstrasse.
Mommy/Elise shot at 23rd and Irving
Taking down the tree.
