Hadley's First Christmas

You have not lived until you've experienced Christmas as a parent. It is a hundred times better when experiencing it from your own child's eyes. I could have cared less about receiving a single present this year. The wonder in these sweet eyes was gift enough for me. 

Continuing with tradition, we packed up our "sleigh" and headed east to Tyler to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with my family. We enjoyed spending time with Lissie, Uncle Connor, Aunt Claire and the rest of the fam, going out to dinner, game night, and sitting outside in the unseasonably warm weather. 

We also attended the Christmas Eve service at Marvin Methodist. Daddy only had to make hasty exits with a bored Hadley twice! ;) 

I've attended the Christmas Eve service at Marvin Methodist for probably the last 11 or 12 years of my life and every year I dreamt of the day that I would get to parade my baby in front of the entire congregation while wearing their Christmas best during communion. This year was finally my turn and I savored the moment of walking my beauty in red down the aisle past an admiring crowd!

That night, however, I could not sleep at all. I was as excited as a child waiting for Santa Claus, fully knowing that Hadley wouldn't even grasp what was going on. It was yet another thing I had been anxiously awaiting my entire life - waking up early to celebrate my child's first Christmas. 

​Santa did not disappoint. 

Hadley seemingly enjoyed all of her new toys! Maybe not quite as much as Mommy and Daddy, but oh well... :) 

It was a magical morning, filled with love, precious memories, and lots and lots of presents. 

After a fun-filled time in Tyler we squeezed ourselves and all the presents we could fit into the car and headed to Houston to spend Christmas with Gigi & Pops, Cameron & Keisha, and Uncle Dave! 

Gigi had some fun accessories waiting for Hadley and of course just a "few" more presents! 

Here are a couple of her favs...

Our hearts are so full after this holiday season - and so is our house with all of Hadley's new toys! :) 

We will always look back fondly on this first Christmas that we shared with Hadley! It really was the most wonderful time of the year!