christmas eve

(All of) Christmas 2013

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” —Norman Vincent Peale

Christmas Eve 2011

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Paw Paw and Sophie

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James and me

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Grandma and Owen reading Christmas stories

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wrestling with Daddy

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homemade buckeyes

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James giving Tucker a Christmas hug

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the Christmas garland Sophie and I made

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reading “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”

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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.

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

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

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Sophie and Daddy

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cookies!

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Sophie thought Santa should have chocolate milk this year.

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So much joy.

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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.

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Sophie contributed to our holiday decorations with preschool projects.

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berries

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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