I thought I’d be blogging a lot more during our holiday visit to see my family but, to be honest, traveling with two kids is a game-changer when it comes to finding time to blog. I used to be able to count on Chase’s nap time to blog when we travel but, with Ryder in the mix, my blogging windows are much smaller and I’m doing my best to roll with it. Life feels busier and more chaotic than ever but also so incredibly full.
When I find myself feeling guilty for not checking in on the blog or accomplishing pretty much anything other than just being a mom to my two kids, I try to remind myself that these baby and toddler days are so fleeting. I know I’ll never regret neglecting anything on my to-do list in favor of holding Ryder and kissing his chunky little thighs or curling up on the couch to read The Polar Express for the thousandth time with Chase. And I’ve been doing plenty of that over the past week!
I flew to Jacksonville with the boys last Thursday and Ryan and Sadie drove down to join us a few days later. This is what we did for Thanksgiving and since it worked so well, we decided to travel the same way for Christmas.
Since our arrival in Florida, we’ve filled our days with gingerbread house decorating, sugar cookie making, beach walks, church and more!
I even managed to make a quick day-trip to Orlando with Ryder to meet my friend Laurel’s beautiful baby boy and spend time with some of my closest friends from college.
I miss them tons and it was so good to have a day together, even if it did pass by in a flash.
And you better believe we’ve been spending as much time as possible with our niece, Callie! I cannot believe how much she’s grown since Thanksgiving and her smiles just melt our hearts.
Oh but before you get the impression that the holiday season with two little babies and a three-year-old in the mix is all perfectly sweet and dreamy, I’ll just go ahead and share this pic right here:
It is absolutely wonderful but there are absolutely moments when everyone is losing their minds at the same time… adults included! Ha!
But back to Christmas!
My mom, yet again, poured her heart into making our Christmas a wonderful one from outfitting our family in matching pajamas to making some of our favorite holiday dishes on Christmas morning — cheese puff casserole and monkey bread!
(In case you’re wondering what a three-year-old looks like when you tell him he has to stop playing with his new toys for 2.5 seconds for a quick family photo, check out Chase in the above picture.)
This Christmas was a special one because it felt like the first year Chase really understood the whole Santa thing. He was a little nervous about the thought of Santa visiting our house at night but felt reassured when we told him Santa wouldn’t come in his room and he was totally safe. On Christmas morning, he woke up wide-eyed and amazed at the gifts under the tree and was really excited about a note Santa left with his name on it.
My brother-in-law’s mother, Susan, joined our gang (matching pajamas and all — she’s such a good sport) and arrived at my parents’ place with Leslie, Ross, Callie and Kona (their chocolate lab) a little after 8 a.m.
(Quality photo bomb by Ross!)
Sadie was ready for her morning nap when they arrived and happily joined a snoozing Callie on the couch.
On Christmas afternoon, things got a little competitive when a gingerbread house competition took place this year!
Ryan and I took some time to decorate one house while Leslie and Ross decorated another. Parent duty called so neither duo finished and voting has yet to take place. Once we’re all done, I’m thinking I may turn to Instagram Stories to set up a voting poll to decide the winner. We’ll see!
Oh and Chase, my mom and I decorated this house earlier in the week:
Clearly we were feelin’ gingerbread house decorating this year!
As for the rest of our holiday Florida trip, we have a few fun things on the agenda including visits to a local nature center, Zoo Lights and The Kennedy Space Center. I hope you are all doing well and thanks so much for taking a minute to stop by the blog today!
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You were missed! Well, I was dying to see an update on little Callie. ❤️ So happy to see her well and growing strong.
Also, Sadie and Kona need PJs next year! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Aw yes! The dogs need in! And thanks so much for thinking of Callie ? We are loving our time with her! Such a sweet & strong little girl!
Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas. This time of year does go by in a flash, so it’s definitely good to step back and just enjoy every moment! Thanks for sharing your holiday adventures and enjoy the rest of your time in Florida 🙂
Thanks for checking in with us on your holiday! It’s always a great day when a favorite blogger posts!
Love those Christmas pajamas!!! Look like cute little candy canes. What a great idea! 🙂
Ryan was calling us the Christmas convicts — haha! I think candy canes are a little better 🙂
So nice to see Callie with your family! How is she doing? All better or anything else to be worried about? I know you’re not sharing a ton of details so not trying to pry! And where are those matching jammies from? We did matching Star Wars jammies from hanna anderson this year.
Thank you for checking in! She is doing great!! And the pajamas are from Target (Burt’s Bees) and are really comfy!
Sounds like you are enjoying your time with your family. Love seeing pictures of all of you in your matching pj’s! Can I ask – where did your mom buy them from? Would love to see if they are available to put away for us for next year. Your niece looks like she is doing very well – so happy to see that. Wishing you and your entire family a wonderful rest of your time together. May 2019 be a great year for all of you.
In case Julie doesn’t get a chance to answer, looks like the Burt’s Bee brand jammies. <3
You’re absolutely right! Thanks for chiming in!!
Thanks! Will look into them for sure – they are adorable!
Pam is right! They’re Burt’s Bees and my mom got them from Target!
Great – thank you! They are adorable!
Love the pjs! and all the family time! Are the gifts wrapped in different paper for each person so you know who they are for? If so, what a great idea!!
Yes! My mom has done it that way ever since we were little kids and I’ve always thought it was such a neat idea!
Looks like such a fun holiday! So glad you were all able to spend time together, as I know traveling with little ones can be a bit crazy! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, Julie!
Super curious – who won the pickle ornament tradition/competition? or has that tradition kind of fizzled out?
Soooo we still have to do it! Ha! Everything just felt a little more chaotic this year & we all realized we forgot about it at dinner on Christmas evening! we are still planning to do it before we leave!
Looks like a great time celebrating with family and so fun when the toddlers start to “get” it. Love the matching pjs!
I think these are the first pictures I’m seeing of Callie! What a precious baby girl she is!! Merry belated Christmas!
You guys are adorable in your jammies, and baby time is way more important than blogging or to-dos right now — I feel ya on that. Sending your fam lots of love, Julie! 🙂
Aw love the matching pj idea! Sounds like you’re having some great family time. Although as a mom myself, had to chuckle at the babies crying in that one picture. So true!
I love those Rudolph figurines by the gingerbread house. Where did you find them? My 3 yo is obsessed with the movie and soundtrack!
I appreciate that you are up front about everyone loosing their minds a bit at points, adults too. I only have one toddler and it is enough to balance her with family at the holidays. Your tribe seems like a close knit crew so props for being honest.
oh yessss! there were definitely moments that everyone was overwhelmed! i feel like that’s just the reality of holidays with family — esp when kids are included!!
Baby Callie’s yawn in the first photo made me laugh out loud! Looks like an amazing time, MErry Christmas and happy New Years! Your log always makes me smile!
haha!!! she’s already over it! 🙂