• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About/Hire Me
    • About Me
    • Hire Me
    • Contact
    • Family
    • Faith
    • FAQ
    • My Running Story
    • Recipes
  • Disney
  • Fitness
    • runDisney Information Page
    • Fitness
    • Races
  • Parenting
  • Travel

Through Heather's Looking Glass

  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • family
  • About Me

Christmas Recap 2016

December 28, 2016 | Uncategorized

Christmas is over, my family has gone home, and it’s now officially the most depressing day of the year. Every year after Christmas I always want to instantly take down the decorations, because they just remind me of how far away next Christmas is. Anyway, I thought writing my recap would make me smile because we had a great Christmas.

We have to go back to Friday for the full recap. My dad, sister and I went to Clearwater beach while my mom stayed home and hung out with Emma Kate. I had never been before, and it was a beautiful public beach.

2016-12-23_10-10-32_9872016-12-23_10-12-35_6772016-12-23_10-13-10_163

We walked out on the pier, saw some huge pelicans, and just enjoyed the view.2016-12-23_10-15-18_911

We then went to lunch at Frenchy’s, and the weather was so gorgeous we were able to sit outside and look at the water while we ate.

2016-12-23_11-23-13_970

We had pizza for dinner, and sat outside on the back porch and enjoyed some Christmas music and wine.

The next day, Christmas eve, my dad, Bobby, me and Emma Kate went to the playground to get out of the house.

2016-12-24_10-34-07_1592016-12-24_10-41-42_259

We came back and the cooking and baking marathon began! I tried a couple new things this year that were a hit, as well as some old favorites.

2016-12-24_12-12-25_343

That afternoon, we got ready for the Christmas eve service at church.

2016-12-24_14-44-55_3352016-12-24_15-15-59_325

I loved how awesome it looked when we lit all the candles and sang silent night. This blurry photo doesn’t do it justice. 2016-12-24_16-40-04_445

2016-12-24_16-40-17_650

We got home, and ate in front of the TV because the Saints were playing Tampa Bay. We wore our new Saints PJ’s and just relaxed which was awesome.

2016-12-24_18-11-01_308

The Saints won, which made the night even better. Emma Kate went to bed, and the elves got to work!2016-12-24_19-50-03_588 (2016-12-26T00_48_49.502)

2016-12-24_20-34-29_122

Bobby read the Christmas story from the Bible, and I read ‘Twas the Night before Christmas.

2016-12-24_20-49-31_338

2016-12-24_21-20-34_030

The next morning, sweet EK slept until almost 8:00! It was nice having some quiet time with coffee and family before she got up to open gifts. She was SO excited to see her Thomas train roller coaster!

2016-12-25_08-03-31_431

She has been such a good girl not touching the gifts under the tree for weeks, and couldn’t contain her excitement when I told her it was finally time. 2016-12-25_08-04-38_337 (2016-12-26T00_47_18.301)2016-12-25_08-15-33_6672016-12-25_08-28-41_5142016-12-25_08-38-33_747

Santa was good to Emma Kate, and she got tons of toys (thanks grammy and papa.) After gifts were opened, we had our traditional Christmas mimosas and ate a breakfast casserole that I made. 2016-12-25_08-59-18_6302016-12-25_09-27-06_102

My poor dad had foot surgery a couple weeks ago and we confined to his scooter.2016-12-25_11-30-29_028

We had a late lunch since Emma Kate slept so late, but enjoyed some delicious food. 2016-12-25_13-05-25_816

I will say it was SO NICE not having to hurry off and get dressed and go anywhere on Christmas. I stayed in my PJ’s all day with no makeup on and it was so nice and relaxing. 2016-12-25_16-23-48_423

That evening, we sat on the back porch and ate dinner, and then celebrated mom’s birthday! She is a Christmas baby and her real name is Mary. (Fun fact, her parents wanted to spell it “Merry”, but the nurses wrote it wrong on the birth certificate THANK GOODNESS.)

2016-12-25_18-41-58_000

After EK went to bed, we played Apples to Apples. It had been a few years so it was a fun time.

2016-12-25_20-05-43_412

The next day, I got up and went to Orange Theory, and then we all headed to the pool. It was a gorgeous 80 degree day, and Emma Kate was so excited we were all there.

2016-12-26_10-44-57_9752016-12-26_10-45-07_848

She went down the slide with daddy and aunt Christy, and made us all go over and over again.2016-12-26_11-01-04_963

We just relaxed that afternoon and sat on the back porch drinking wine. I haven’t put on real clothes or makeup since church on Christmas eve, and it’s been awesome. It was the most laid back Christmas we have ever had. Sadly, yesterday morning my parents went home (my sister went home the night before) and now I am trying to get the house back in order and get back to work. Sad smile I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas with friends and family and have lots of great memories to last forever!

QOTD: What was your favorite part of Christmas?

Like this:

Like Loading...

Sign up for my newsletter

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Karen says

    December 29, 2016 at 8:00 am

    Merry Christmas! Glad your mom had a good birthday, too! Love and miss you guys!!

  2. Lesley says

    December 29, 2016 at 1:56 pm

    My parents are taking down the Christmas decorations this coming weekend. My mom leaves it all up until New Year’s so we can enjoy the holiday a little longer. Then it is sad to see everything packed away.

Primary Sidebar

I am Heather Montgomery, a 30 something southern girl living in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband Bobby, 10-year-old daughter Emma Kate, and our goldendoodles Dolly and Luna. I’m just a regular girl who likes to workout, travel, hang with my family, text, and eat chips and queso. Be sure to check out my “about me” page for more info!
Thank you for visiting, and feel free to contact me with questions, (or for PR inquiries or press trip invites) at Support@HeathersLookingGlass.com.

Please, no guest post requests. 🙂

More about me

Privacy Policy

You can also find me here:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • 4 Things That Stop People From Exercising (And What To Do About Them)
  • 6 Tips for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
  • Family Fun in Tuscaloosa: Your Ultimate Getaway Beyond Game Day
  • 5 Reasons to Try a New Way of Travel
  • Experience Superhero-Sized Fun at Gaylord Opryland DC Summer

 

Search

How to Start a Blog

How to start a blog
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • Family
What a weekend! 👀 🏐 Volleyball win on Satur What a weekend! 👀

🏐 Volleyball win on Saturday 
🌙 EK’s slumber party for her birthday was also Saturday, and we used @modernmomentstn for her adorable set up! They did a great job and they set up and clean up all the tents and things. The girls had a blast! Be sure to check out her page for all the different themes she rents out! 
🌺 Sunday we went to Dollywood with friends
😕 Monday I had surgery (I’m ok just sleepy!)

Make sure you scroll all the way across, there are some cute videos in there! 

#slumberparty #birthdaysleepover #birthdaypartydecor #knoxvillesmallbusiness
Who says the magic ends when you leave the parks?✨ (ad)

At Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando, an Official Walt Disney World® Hotel, the fun keeps going with a resort-style pool, splash pad, free shuttles to the parks, and a hot breakfast every morning. 🎢🏰 

Plus, their 5:30 Kickback® is the perfect nightcap—snacks for the whole family and 3 free drinks for guests 21+. 🎉

#DruryHotels #OfficialWaltDisneyWorldHotel #OrlandoVacation #DisneyMagic #FamilyTravel
✨ Cooking together, laughing together, and makin ✨ Cooking together, laughing together, and making memories that’ll last a lifetime. 💖 (ad)

The Pampered Chef Kids Club Box has been a total game-changer for us! 🌮 It’s more than just a box of ingredients — it’s an experience that brings us closer while building valuable kitchen skills, confidence, and even a little STEM learning along the way! 🔬

The best part? NO auto-renewals! 🙌 You can try it when you’re ready, no strings attached.

💌 Comment the word “kids” for the link to start cooking up some fun with your family!

#PamperedChefKidsClub @PamperedChef
🍹✨ Checking into Margaritaville Resort Gatlin 🍹✨ Checking into Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg feels like stepping into vacation mode the second you arrive! (Ad)

From the laid-back tropical vibes in the lobby, to cozy rooms with mountain views, steps from downtown Gatlinburg, a pool made for relaxing, and even a fitness center — this resort has everything you need for the perfect Smoky Mountain getaway. 🏔️🌴

Would you stay here on your next trip to Gatlinburg?

#MargaritavilleResort #GatlinburgTN #SmokyMountains #ResortLife #MargaritavilleVibes #GatlinburgVacation #TravelTennessee #MountainGetaway #ResortTour
A peek behind the scenes of what a school morning A peek behind the scenes of what a school morning looks like around here. (Spoiler alert, it’s not as glamorous as some people think!)

Just a mom trying to get her kid out the door followed by procrastinating about work. Then I end up working late into the night instead. 😵‍💫🫣

🚨 If you would like a 🔗 to the lights in my laundry room just comment with the word LINK and I will DM it to you! 

#adayinthelife #momlifebelike #behindthescene #contentcreatorlife
Some days I feel strong. Other days, I feel like I Some days I feel strong. Other days, I feel like I’m sprinting to catch up with a finish line that keeps moving.

Turning 40 has me reflecting a lot — where I thought I’d be, where I actually am, and what “success” really means. Who is in charge of making those rules anyway? 👀

I don’t have it all figured out. But I’m learning that I’m not behind. I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
And if you’re struggling with this too… you’re not alone. 💛

#thisis40 #confessiontime #enneagram3 #whatissuccess #momconfessions
Recently, I had the opportunity to enjoy EPCOT’s Recently, I had the opportunity to enjoy EPCOT’s new adults only bar, Geo-82. ✨ 

It’s beautiful, sophisticated, and very nostalgic. The attention to detail is astounding! 

You can even purchase a fireworks package and sip and dine while watching the show with the music piped in and lights dimmed.

My fave? The brown butter old fashioned, complete with spaceship earth stamped ice cube. 🧊 🥃 

Reservations can be made 60 days in advance on the Walt Disney World app, and walk-ins are not accepted at this time. 

I will admit it’s pricey, so something I would save for a special occasion! Very cool experience though and would 10/10 go again! 

#epcot #geo82 #epcotdining #epcotfood #disneyrestaurants

Copyright © 2025 · Through Heather's Looking Glass · Theme by Bella Creative Studio

%d