chocked-full christmas

as soon as december hit, the month was chocked full of fun activities. the nice thing about this year is it never felt overwhelming, too busy or last minute. i'm not sure what changed? it might just be that the girls are getting to the age where they're a little more self sufficient and it makes all things a little easier? maybe were at a stage where we feel so satisfied with life? heading into christmas i had this mentality that everything is as it should be and we don't NEED anything, less is more and how thankful i am for our little family. it made all the celebrating, events and gift giving feel like an "extra." i suppose *that's why* this year felt different. sometimes the beauty of this blog is i talk through these things right here, on screen. 

below are the photos the capture of month of christmas fun!

evia's preschool sends home artwork and projects weekly. december especially had some thoughtful and cute projects. that's one cute rudolph, if you ask me!

painting our neighborhood-found pinecones to decorate our mantel on the first weekend of the month

this year's holiday card, complete with photos taken by auntie anna.

getting our tree

a fun day of choosing ornaments and decorating. i left an entire box in the attic this year.

the first night our nativity scene was up a ginormous full moon shone in through the window

papa found thes elk antlers in the backcountry and hiked the 40lb-ers out several miles

the 2nd annual ladies-shopping trip sans children. important stop on the way - target.

on that same shopping day, the girls explored with papa in the mountains

our first year of elf on the shelf....here's our first night with "sugar plum"

a little card for her papa

ginger bears for ayinny's tea party and pre-k teacher goody

have always wanted to make these, been pinned on my pinterest board for too long. stir your cocoa with this (and ibarra at that!....some crazy sugar for the littles and the mama's too!)

mila and i preparing our salt dough ornaments for our playdate, when all the kids painted them

evia with her sweet friend penelope, excited for their christmas performance moments away

singing in the christmas show with all all her pre-k buddies

with her fans, nana and grandpa

zavalas 2014

pretty ayin at her tea party, age 2, with her tio d

snow at the harbor

visiting the tylers on the parade of lights evening

listening to the annual polar express tale

the evening skies have been gorgeous. this was a blustery shoreline-walk evening

we may have or have not defaced this picnic table when we were teens!

an afternoon of lunching and the nutcracker with evia and nana

such holiday joy

she looks so grown up to me here

an average night of papa-wrestles and laughter

an 80 degree night sitting outdoors and watching the light curtains blow as i sipped a warm drink with a few of my favorite ladies

i love this crew

bizcochitos

not only do the lovies love to get out amidst all the holiday bustle, but i think the mama's do to. look at these two on our zoo date!

worth every penny. wind tunnel.

dad serving up christmas eve cocktails

a rare moment of just us two. christmas eve at my parents.

we made santa a special "s" ginger cookie

christmas morning with pretty auntie!

so much christmas, sometimes just makes you want to lay on the floor and roll around

one final christmas event with amy, while in town from chicago and her ladies