Echo Valley Christmas

This year's Christmas at Echo Valley seemed a little different without GG there. The kids always spent a lot of time at GG's table and she always enjoyed watching them dance. But, the night went on....

Joey acted so old on this night. He walked around, did his own thing, talked to adults, hung out with his "older" cousins, sat by the Bishop and talked to him....it made me sad...and happy at the same time.  Saylor and Brynn were hooked at the waist, and Carter and Maddox do their own thing.

Santa always comes to Echo...and it's not a success until all 3 kids ask for something they aren't getting! So, we ended our night on that!

Coppola Christmas

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is our Christmas at Echo Valley with all of the extended Coppola family cousins, aunts, and uncles. It's fun seeing everyone, the food and drinks are great, the room is spacious, Santa comes, and there's live music! We had a great time!

The Santa was so so perfect. He was vintage and I loved that! The girls played at the kids table and danced and followed each other around the entire night. It was really a fun and relaxed evening. I could have stayed longer!!

We celebrated with my inlaws on the 26th at our house. It was our first Christmas that we hosted and it was fun to host in our new house! Everyone helped with the meal so I was just in charge of the drinks, dessert, and appetizers. I made creme brulee for the very first time, and it was great! Here are a few photos of my house before it was destroyed by 9 kids and lots of presents!!

The night was just perfect! We have all noticed how much easier holidays have been as our kids have grown older. Five years ago, it seems as if I would leave every holiday sweating and exhausted and overwhelmed with everything. You have to think about nap times and bed times and when they last ate and dirty diapers and meltdowns. Now, the kids go to their own part of the house and hang out together and come to eat and then leave again. We actually got a lot of adult alone time together just hanging out and conversing so it was really nice. We now have 9 kids under 10 years old, and only one true "baby." It's getting easier....and just when we will be smooth sailing, Kyle and Emily will disrupt it!

After our meal, we opened presents, played, talked, took photos, drank more, ate dessert and that was it! It was such a fun night!

Oh- and we celebrated this 8 year old's birthday!!

Here's to a great family Christmas!!!

Conversation with Daddy

15 years from now...

So, Daddy, I want to tell you about this boy I met....

What do you mean, I can't go out with him? I think he's smart and cute and wonderful....

And, you might just be wrong about him....you might actually like him once you get to know him...and, someday, I might just marry him and live happily ever after. So, I'm just letting you know now.

 Oh, what happens to you then, daddy? I don't know, dad....

I'll always be your little girl...but let this serve as your fair warning that I'm going to grow up fast. 

Too fast for both of us. 

Love, Saylor

Christmas 2: Echo Valley

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is the Echo Valley Christmas. It's free food, live music, dancing, free drinks, Santa comes, the kids run around and we get to socialize with the Coppolas without all the presents and chaos.

There were so many little highlights of the night that I tried to capture on my camera!

Our traditional family photo in front of the Christmas tree that I make everyone take....

 Santa visiting with the kids and handing out gifts (every child gets a pretty nice gift if you ask me!)

This is one of my favorites - Miss Thing going up to tell GG hello!

 Lots and lots of cousin time and dancing time!

It was a fun night and Saylor was in her element...dancing, twirling, talking and stealing the show left and right. And, both Maddox and Joey took the time to dance with her!

I didn't get a shot of myself dancing with Joey but that was my other highlight. He asked me to dance and then asked me to teach him to twirl me. He was so sweet and wasn't embarrassed at all.  I wish I could freeze that frame forever in my mind!