so, we can’t exactly head to a tree farm to trudge through the snow to cut down our christmas tree. we can’t make snow angels or run outside in our pajamas to catch the first crystally flakes on our tongue. we can’t pretend to put the kids to bed only to pull them out ten minutes later with hot cocoa and popcorn and a warm car ready to heat little bodies for a snowy ride to look at christmas lights. however, our town is made up of a large cluster of former midwesterners… midwesterners who, this time of year, all miss and crave the magic of the cozy cold.
…so we create it. and a darn good job we do.
the lighting of the third street christmas tree.
it may not have been rockefeller center, but it was my town. my people. my friends. …counting down.
…3, 2, 1. merry christmas! and the streets were filled with snow. yes, snow.
…and it was magic.
street entertainers and silent night. cotton candy and balloons. tacky flashing christmas bulb earrings and elf shoes and reindeer antler headbands. twinkly lights everywhere. donkeys and mangers. …and this overwhelming reassurance that we are making magical memories for our kids. they will remember how excited we were to show them fake snow and they will remember how we danced in it.
oh, i could eat holidays with a spoon. i could scoop up their magic and bathe in it. i am writing lainey’s storybook childhood, and i want the christmas chapter to be a page-turner.
…in other magical happenings, her growth and entrance into the world of toddlerhood wonder is a holiday in itself and among the cleaning and cooking and decorating and errands and photo editing and e-mails, i take as many chances as i can get to just watch her be.
we’re getting ready for our fourth annual thanksgiving pajama breakfast. and having daddy home. and family. and just…being.
…enjoying the happy things. ~k
Rayna says
You summed it up last night, it was magical. It was our first time down there and I was in heaven. I am looking forward to 5th Ave next week. I didn’t see the donkeys!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving!
April says
I’m glad you got your ‘white’ Christmas. And love your doll’s black skirt. Seriously, she’s darling!
Have a wonderful belly-filling, family-enjoying Thanksgiving!!
Heidi Lee says
I LOVE that your town does this. What great memories!
I loved Lainey yawning, and her face with you holding her, with the snow on you.
Angie Seaman says
I love Naples and Bonita Beach this time of year. Last year we came from Indiana and spent Christmas there as well as New Years Eve. On New Years, we took our kiddo’s to 5th avenue and watched the snow fall then too. Naples does winter in a great way! We are headed your way again December 19th and will be there thru January 5th. I am interested in having you take some photographs for me of my kiddo’s. As a new photographer, I admire your work so very much. You can contact me at Angie@AngelicaGraceDesigns.com. I’d love to speak with you and get some ideas as well as find out if you’d be interested in shooting during that time frame when we are in town. Thanks a million!
Blessings to you and yours,
Angie Seaman
http://www.angelicagracedesigns.com/blog/
http://www.angieseamanphotography.com
http://www.angelicagracedesigns.com
Heidi says
oh my goodness…those pictures are sooo good. we were there also, and you really captured those moments on 3rd PERFECTLY. my pics don’t look like yours…haha. you’ll see;0
LOVE the horse pic! and the snowing on your head picture is BEAUTIFUL.
it was soooo fun! thanks for the reminder text. the energy downtown was so wholesome and fun last night. could of pitched a tent and stayed the night under one of those snow machines!
dig this chick says
Oh what a happy break from work. Laney’s little sly smile in that last pic is just great.
What was the snow? Was it real snow from snow machines?! Or confetti? How fun. All under palm trees and without coats. It is really cold in Montana right now but we still haven’t seen flakes fly. It is freaking me out.
jen says
how incredibly fun!
here in mn … where we have had snowfall (for real…) but not much – there isn’t nearly as much christmas-y spirit that i’ve seen.
then again … i haven’t been searching it out, maybe i need to.
Kelle says
oh, jen…go search it out, baby! look for it in every nook and cranny. you’ll find it! and, if you don’t…make it! be the town’s tiny tim! unscrooge the best of them!
Kelle says
It was real FAKE snow…wet, so not confetti, but I think it was some sort of soap concoction.
cjs says
oh, it looks like so much fun. LOVE the snow shots. and the last one of lainey is THE BOMB.
Kulio says
Ohhh that last shot of Lainey looks like YOU Kelle!!! Remember, I’m old and can remember what you looked like way back when.
Also this weird snorting noise you used to make. You were SUCH an awesome kid!!!! 🙂
Poppa says
The very first time I experienced this magic there was several years ago, and Gary, Colleen and I were having dinner at Tommy Bahama’s…the singer/guitarist began playing “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” and there it came…from high above…snow…and we all cried…but we had been drinking wine. It was enchanting.
Poppa says
He is a good man, this son-in-law of mine. Lover and leader of his children, Supporter and strength to his wife and friend and fan of his friends. A stand up, straight up, look up guy who can hot dog on a jet ski, tear up at the movies and send a strong and protective shadow onto his family when he sits beside them in church on Sunday. Brett, I am so happy you are you near me.