among the world of magical things there are white unicorns. pots of gold under the rainbow. pixie dust and forests full of fairies.
…oh, but there is one more. one filled with fantasy and imagination.
my childhood christmases.
if there is one thing i am ever so thankful to my parents for…
it’s what they did in december.
they created magic. and, to this day, i believe in it.
everything was perfect…and no, it’s not that i only remember the perfection. it was perfection. the house in its christmas splendor. the reindeer footprints in the snow. new pajamas on christmas eve. hearing santa call us and ring his bell for us. sleeping together…my sister & brother & i, on christmas eve and feeling my heart beat so fast in fear i would actually see santa. my mom’s st. lucia braided cinnamon crown on christmas morning…with candles and cherry poinsettas. the music. the grandparents. reading the christmas story together, as a family on the living room floor before we opened presents. following the string throughout the house to the ‘big’ present at the end. laughter. love. always love.
it was magic.
and, just writing about it makes me all teary…i can still feel every bit of the magic.
and what’s so beautiful is that…it’s up to me to create it now. i want what i had and more for lainey. i’m so excited for this year with her new wonder and understanding of celebration, i think she’s really gunna ‘get it.’ it’s a little over a month away and there are so many things to do to make it special.
and, so we begin.
today with the first little-bit-of-christmas revealed…
and a new book that took my breath away. every child should own this book.
it explains everything and has beautiful illustrations of inside santa’s home, mrs. claus’ kitchen, the elves workroom.
detailed drawings of santa’s sleigh and every button’s function.
pull-out books like santa’s diary…
the world map he uses on his route…
secret entrance into his closet and descriptions of what’s in his cloak pockets…
copies of children’s letters and photos of the mail room…
it’s heaven, and you don’t have to be a kid to love it. buy it. pour some cocoa…and discover where beautiful imagination can take you.
i can’t help but be excited. christmas is coming…
from my favorite christmas pasts…
chicago 2006
to my favorite christmas future…
make some traditions.
and a little early present from me to you…
tonight’s “football dance” with daddy. watch it. it’s so worth it.
(oh, and if you had a dollar for every time i say “football dance” in this clip, you could use it to stimulate our economy like nobody’s business. seriously. just when you think i’m done saying “football dance”…i say it again. sorry…ahead of time.)
if you can’t view it, click here.
…enjoying the tradition things. ~k
ooo…i’m first!
that football dance is too cute!
she’s wiggling like no one’s business!
and i really truly think we grew up in the same house. my parents didn’t create as much magic…lucky you! but…i had that EXACT same fireplace and wall growing up…and i remember never having to hang stockings…they just kinda stuck to it. unless they were too full. then santa layed them on the mantle. i’ll have to find a picture…and share!
And as a parent, I still get weepy when I remember that wide-eyed wonder in my little ones’ eyes–their pure joy with the magic of the morning. There were times when, for a fleeting moment in the late hours of the night’s preparation when I would ask myself it this was all worth it…and today, when I hear the lasting imprint of those mornings, I know it was. The best gift parents can give a child is happy memories.
The old pictures are the bomb!!
Love the stockings in the yard! Who thinks of that?
Oh yea, the American Idol chick does!
Cant view video – must see stat! Get your webmaster on it pronto!!
Give Lil’ a kiss for me and tell her I’m proud of her for being her.
Oh Kel, I feel the same way about the excitement of Christmas….your description of how perfect and wonderful your childhood memories are sounds just like mine!! My parents still make christmas morning the most magical morning of the year and I have always thought how truly special it will be to recreate it for my kids. And don’t you know…we STILL get a new set of christmas pjs each christmas eve. There’s nothing better than the magic of Santa and all the holiday spirit!!!! ps. love the old and new pics.
ok so the stocking pic belongs on the cover of a pottery barn catalog, love it!
Great pic of you and brett and, of course, Lainers – she’s just precious.
old school pictures are the BEST!!! what a beautiful room. i can imagine you three waking up and finding that spread before you…!!!! woah.
LOVE the stocking pic in the woods kell…beauti-mas!!!
JUST BOUGHT THAT BOOK THIS WEEKEND…yes, i did and it is a treasure. it is like santa’s christmas scrapbook.
video is soooo stinkin’ cute.
can you hang lainey in one of those stockings hanging from the tree??? okay, it prob wouldn’t hold, but it would be fun trying;0
that is one beautiful photograph. do you own your own jungle?
I LOVE that you put the old pictures up there. Thats so cool.
The video is GREAT and I love how right at the end you say “thats adorable” it SO is. And Kelle, hearing your voice makes me miss you even more!
Your house is beautiful by the way.
I told you I’d cry.
and I am.
and I can’t stop.
you have so much to look forward to…
it will be the closest thing to our own childhood christmases, just you wait.
pure magic.
that is what it will be.
pure magic.
Okay that book looks AWESOME! I love books with pull-out special things like that.
Also, what is Lainey wearing on her feet for the “football dance”? They look like elf shoes, they’re so cute!
I love the magic of Christmas……it’s like everything else just fades away! You are going to have so much fun with Lainey this year. Your pictures are beyond beautiful as usual! I love the ones of you,Bubby, and Carin so magical.
hello there
love your site, just found this Christamsa one and fell in love with that beautiful book
would you mind telling me the name of it
keep up the amazing blogs,I live in Ireland and just love your pics and your happy beutiful girls
xxx
I dont know if you have ever done this in past blogs, but Ive read alot of them and havent came across any, but I would love to know where you and your hubby met and if you could post wedding pictures 🙂 I know we read about you and we all feel apart of you in some small way, and it would be nice to see one of the most important days of your life. 🙂