christmas eve

Paw Paw and Sophie

James and me

Grandma and Owen reading Christmas stories

wrestling with Daddy

homemade buckeyes

James giving Tucker a Christmas hug

the Christmas garland Sophie and I made

reading “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”

After we put the boys to bed, Lizz, Grandma and Sophie worked on making the icing for the Uhl family Christmas cookies—a Uhl Christmas tradition.

Paw Paw, upon learning we forgot to buy nonpareils (thankfully we found a store that was open that sold them).

I love this picture. Sophie is having so much fun with her grandma and aunt Lizzie.

Sophie and Daddy

cookies!

Sophie thought Santa should have chocolate milk this year.

So much joy.

Note to Santa (Dear Santa, I hope you really, really give me a scooter. Love, Sophie. p.s. The boys might want books, cars and the thing that Grandma and Owen are playing with.), plus cookies, chocolate milk and carrots for the reindeer.

Sophie contributed to our holiday decorations with preschool projects.

berries

Andy and I both put Sophie to bed that night. She was so incredibly excited. It took me back, to the sleepless nights, the listening for bells, my dad reading “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” all of it. I loved it.

“Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart … filled it, too, with melody that would last forever.” —Bess Streeter Aldrich