four christmases

Happy New Year!  I don't know about you, but I am so ready for a new year and a fresh start.
My resolutions this year are as follows: 1. Work out. (3 + x week) 2. Be on time. You'd be amazed at how hard it will be for me to stick to these.
This Christmas was spent with the people I love the most, my family. The only thing missing was Colton, but I hopped on a plane to South Dakota the next day to spend Christmas # 4 (!!!) with him.   
December 22nd would have been my dad's 46th birthday (and his first in heaven). My family and I released balloons in the sky that night with birthday cards and glow sticks attached. 

The purple and gold signifies the school colors of where he coached and taught. 
My family spent Christmas Eve the way we always do: by going to church and eating tamales. I stayed the night at my step-mom's house with my sister and little brothers. Mace (the two-year-old) told everyone he wanted Santa to bring him, "A BIG RED FIRETRUCK!" We ended the night by getting plates of goodies ready for Santa (and veggies for the reindeer) and watching Christmas Vacation.

 My Uncle Joe and I after church.

 My sister, grandma, myself, and aunt.

 The Bemis ladies at grandma's house.

Three words: Christmas. Eve. Chaos.

Christmas # 1 started bright and early Christmas morning. This Christmas consists of watching my little brothers open their gifts from Santa and exchanging gifts with my step-mom and siblings.

I have to share a sweet and sad conversation I had with my 7-year-old brother Max while he was upstairs anxiously waiting to go downstairs and open presents on Christmas morning.

It went a little something like this:

Max: "Brie, what if Santa brings me everything I asked for?!" 

Me: "I don't know, Max. You should just me thankful if Santa brings you one present."

Max: "But I only asked for three things."

Me: "What did you ask for?" 

Max: "A new bike, for Santa to say hi to dad for me, and to keep my family safe."

Me: *heart = broken* "I hope he brings you everything you asked for."

I'm happy to report that Max got his new bike and Mace got his BIG RED FIRETRUCK!

 Mace in awe of his gift from Santa.

Christmas # 2 was spent at my grandma's house. 

Everyone (siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandma) gets together for a late brunch and gift exchange. 

I'm pretty sure I ate my weight in caramel rolls that morning. 

 Makenzie and I playing with Max.

 Posing in pajamas with my brothers, step-mom (Melissa), and sister.

 Just sticking my foot in my cousin Cody's face. He really enjoyed that.

 The Bemis grandkids (minus Haleigh and Cade).

 My sister made these awesome necklaces with photos of my dad and grandpa in them for me, Melissa, my aunt, and grandma. The one of the left is a photo of my grandpa in the Navy and the one on the right is of my dad and grandpa on my dad and Melissa's wedding day.

Christmas # 3 was spent at my mom and step-dad's house. 

We exchanged gifts and ate a delicious Christmas dinner.
I devoured the green been casserole. I mean, how can you not?!

My mom and I.  The beautiful necklace I'm wearing was a Christmas gift from her.
I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays! I have one more day off and then it's back to reality. Is it weird that I'm actually really anxious to just hurry up and get back into the swing of things?

I'll be back to report on Christmas # 4 in South Dakota!