That’s a Wrap

I couldn’t have  picked a better time to go on maternity leave.  I got to spend the holidays with my babies and create magical memories with them.  So much of life and joy happened all at once.  Now all of a sudden it’s 2015 (happy new year, by the way!) and I’m half-way through my maternity leave.  Too fast!  It’s going by too fast!

Before those wonderful holiday festivities get wrapped up and put away in a box labeled “2014” I wanted to take a moment to document all of my favorite moments.

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We welcomed Figgy the elf into our home.  Yes, I finally jumped on the Elf on the Shelf bandwagon and I’m glad I did.  The kids had so much fun looking for their elf every morning to find out what he was up to.  I’m looking forward to carrying on this tradition for our family, but I’m not sure how long this will last.  Arielle is so observant and inquisitive that I’m not sure I can carry on the act before she figures it out.

Figgy

My mom, Alyssa, and I crashed Arielle’s and Zavier’s class Christmas parties at school.  It fascinates me to see them interact with their teachers and other children their age.  Arielle showed me that she was a “super student” on the behavior chart and introduced me to some of her friends.  Zavier had fun participating in the games, but overall he was pretty quiet.

christmas party Then there was my photo shoot of my three babies for Christmas cards that actually never got printed or sent out.  Whoops!  Arielle and Zavier just adore Alyssa – you can tell from the pictures.

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Then came a flurry of family parties.  We have a big families so food, presents, and holiday spirit were in abundance.  For many, it was their first time meeting Alyssa – a gift from God for the entire family this Christmas.  This was everyone’s reaction to seeing her in her pretty red dress:

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Here’s a picture with all my cousins in chronological order – my sister and I are the eldest and I’m the only one with babies.

Sandiego Christmas

On Christmas Day, we celebrated with my husband’s side of the fam.  It was chaos!  There are 22 grandkids and counting…

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We have so much family that our Christmas spills into the 26th where we spent time with my parents- and sisters-in-law and their kiddos.  Their twin cousins also came along – one of them actually looks like Arielle’s twin!

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Lastly, there’s all the presents!  They get to open presents four different times and I get all giddy each time as if I’m the one opening them.  My favorite is when we wake up on Christmas morning and they get to open the presents from Santa and us.  Arielle got a vanity and make-up set from Santa and a Lalaloopsy easy-bake oven from us.  Zavier got a new bike from Santa and a Ninja Turtle tent from us.  They also got a ton of toys and clothes – most of which I put away and open throughout the rest of the year.

Christmas Morning

So that’s a wrap!  All our Christmas festivities tied into one cluttered blog post and hodgepodge of picture collages.  And totally late (what is it, January 5 now?)  It all went so quickly and this is my way of freezing time and holding on to the memories.

Now that I got that out of my system, I can focus on 2015 and write about my maternity leave in Florida!  Stay tuned, or keep up-to-date by following me here on Instagram!

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Comments

  1. Happy Holidays! In Macedonian culture we are actually celebrating Christmas tomorrow, so you are fine! Some parts of the world are celebrating also! So technically you are not late lol. We are aiming for a second kiddo this year but I wondered if it would suck being on leave in the winter,I can see the holidays makes it still ok!
    Your baby is growing fast! So cute in that dress,I miss baby clothes :-/
    Deanna recently posted…Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Chi City Mom!My Profile

    • Hi Deanna! Merry Christmas to you and your family!! That’s so exciting that you’re trying for a second kiddo this year…your baby girl will have a sibling!!! Honestly, anytime is a good time to go on maternity leave 🙂

  2. I think I’d have to call your Christmas season a marathon! I loved seeing the picture of you and all of your cousins! It must have been so fun to grow up with them!

    Our Christmas season will finally be over this weekend. We’ve got one last celebration to attend on Cape Cod and then I’ll be able to wrap this one up too! It is so hard living so far away from family!
    NJ @ A Cookie Before Dinner recently posted…January 2015 GoalsMy Profile

    • It sure did feel like marathon! Totally unrelated – but I got a Moby wrap for my new little baby and I thought of you because I remember seeing pics you posted of you carrying Lola in a wrap. I love it! Have fun in Cape Cod!

  3. Happy New Year, Gracielle! Your children are beautiful. I always tried to time things so I would be on maternity leave during the holidays lol. Instead one was born in September and the other in January!
    Herchel S recently posted…One Word 2015My Profile

    • Happy new year to you too, Hershel! LOL you were either just before or after the holidays! Arielle and Zavier were born in the spring when the temps were warming up and that was a good time, too. Although, anytime is a good time to go on maternity leave!

  4. Arielle and Des have the exact same bangs! Cut the exact same way. Too cute.
    And holy family. I love it. It reminds me of my big family getting together with cousins. It’s the best.
    And the baby’s eyes are incredible.
    Tamara recently posted…Go Ahead, Ask Me Anything.My Profile

    • Arielle just got her bangs trimmed today – I wonder if she and Des are still bangs twins. I’m hoping the baby has my eyes…or my anything. My husband’s side of the family have such prominent genes and Arielle and Zavier take so much after him.

  5. Lovely pictures of your beautiful family! Your children are so adorable 😀 Sounds like you had a fabulous holiday seasons.
    Maureen recently posted…Wellness Wednesday Linky PartyMy Profile

  6. Got to LOVE family!! We have to Skype with ours…. I miss them. I’m glad you had a beautiful family-filled holiday!
    I totally found last year’s Christmas cards (with pictures) this year when we unpacked our Christmas decor :-/
    I still haven’t posted about our Christmas, but I am sharing a few pictures of our Christmas in my Thank You Notes post tomorrow 🙂
    Wishing you and your beautiful family the happiest year ever!
    XOXO
    Mrs.AOK recently posted…Words To Live ByMy Profile

    • So I’m down here in Florida with my parents and seriously considering moving here…It’s beautiful and sunny here while everyone at home is freezing their butts off! One of the biggest factors about making the big move from the Chi-town area is leaving all the family. How’d you do it?!?! We’d have to Skype during the holidays, too, if we make the big move.

  7. Oh my such beautiful children you have! You are very lucky to have such large families an to be able to celebrate together!
    Robbie recently posted…Fractured FridayMy Profile

    • Thank you for stopping by, Robbie! Big families means lots of chaos – but I love it! I love that things have settled down since then, too. Have a happy 2015!

  8. You have a very beautiful family. It’s amazing that your cousins are all there! And the kids are soooo adorable!! You’re right, it’s the perfect time to be on maternity leave. Now, enjoy Florida! 🙂
    Rea recently posted…Today, I Begin AgainMy Profile

    • All my first cousins are here! I have some second cousins scattered throughout the US and in the Philippines, too. I’m totally enjoying Florida. So much so that I’m considering moving here!

  9. What beautiful pictures and what a lovely holiday you had. Your family is precious. Yes, this is a lovely time to be on maternity leave. Enjoy every second of it.

    Wishing you a lovely day.
    xoxo
    Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom recently posted…9 Tips To Inspire Great Blog Post IdeasMy Profile

    • Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer! I am enjoying every minute of maternity leave! We skipped the cold weather in chicago and now we are in Florida enjoying the sun!

  10. It looks like you had a fun and busy holiday season:) Your kiddos are too cute!
    Joanna @ Motherhood and Merlot recently posted…A Few of My Favorite Things from 2014 | Giveaway!My Profile

  11. beautiful pictures, i’m sure even more wonderful memories. looks like the holidays were really great for you. happy new year!
    catherine gacad recently posted…Pictures from the Petting ZooMy Profile

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