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.
We walked out on the pier, saw some huge pelicans, and just enjoyed the view.
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.
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.
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.
That afternoon, we got ready for the Christmas eve service at church.
I loved how awesome it looked when we lit all the candles and sang silent night. This blurry photo doesn’t do it justice. 
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.
The Saints won, which made the night even better. Emma Kate went to bed, and the elves got to work!
Bobby read the Christmas story from the Bible, and I read ‘Twas the Night before Christmas.
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!
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. 
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. 
My poor dad had foot surgery a couple weeks ago and we confined to his scooter.
We had a late lunch since Emma Kate slept so late, but enjoyed some delicious food. 
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. 
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.)
After EK went to bed, we played Apples to Apples. It had been a few years so it was a fun time.
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.
She went down the slide with daddy and aunt Christy, and made us all go over and over again.
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. 
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?
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Merry Christmas! Glad your mom had a good birthday, too! Love and miss you guys!!
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.