A Christmas in Boston

Happy 2020!!! That is going to take a while to really register. Time just needs to freeze for a moment.
 

December was a month full of sweet memories. As Christmas approached, I could see Autumn's face beaming with excitement. I know she is only two years old, but I knew she was feeling the joy that Christmas brings. She would get so excited to see the lights on the Christmas tree, the presents underneath, and for Santa Claus to come.
 

I wish I could say the same when she met Santa in person. We went to our ward Christmas party where we could get pictures with Santa. The moment Collin put her on his lap, she slowly started sobbing. She didn't scream or throw a fit, but was she was not having it with Old St. Nick. After I snapped a few pictures, we rescued her immediately.  I hope by next year, she won't be as afraid of Santa Claus. After all, he does bring her presents.
 

We decided to stay in the Boston area for the holidays. Since we had just moved to Massachusetts, we thought it would be special to see what Boston is like during Christmas. We expected a lot more snow, but compared to Texas, it was definitely much colder.

Collin got to take time off work during the holidays. Since he works long hours every day, it was so nice to have him home. We were grateful to have him on most days during Christmas week.


We may not have had a White Christmas, but the city lights were just as beautiful. As we were searching for places to see Christmas lights, we decided to go into the city of Boston to see what they had. We got to see not one, but two Christmas trees! One was located at Quincy Market and the other was in the Boston Commons. Both of them were bright and vibrant. Along with that, the lights were shining everywhere. They even turned the frog pond into an ice skating rink. We can't wait to go ice skating there someday.

For Christmas Eve, we purchased our last minute gifts and wrapped all of our presents. Everything was finally ready for Christmas. By evening, we went to see Collin's cousin Amy and her family for a delicious Christmas Eve dinner. Afterwards, we read scriptures and made luminarias. We also read an adorable story that Collin's family tells every Christmas. It's called "Biddickins and Buddickins." Now that we live in Massachusetts, it's so nice to get to know Amy and her family. They were so kind in including us in their family activities. We love having family on the East Coast.

Christmas Day came before we knew it. We all woke up to see what was in our stockings. Autumn's face lit up like a Christmas tree when she opened her gifts. She was so excited to receive such wonderful gifts from our families. 

After we ate our Christmas dinner made by the sweet hubby, I was reflecting back to when I was a child at Christmastime. The excitement of receiving a gift, the anticipation of waiting for Santa to come, the pure joy of Christmas still holds a special place in my heart. Now, I get to pass down to that sweet feeling to Autumn. Seeing her get so excited brought me so much happiness. As I grew older, I have learned that Christmas means so much more than receiving a gift. It's the joy you feel when you are with the ones you love. That is the ultimate gift we should never take for granted. I want Autumn to have the same feeling I had when I was a child. As she grows older, it's my hope that she will discover the true meaning of Christmas. I loved every second we had to spend as a family for the holidays. We missed our families, but also felt their love this season. 

We have just approached the year 2020 and I honestly can't believe it! I have made so many goals for the new year. We are not only entering a new year, but a new decade. There's a lot that has happened the last ten years. I entered BYU Idaho, graduated, worked with kids, became a wife and eventually a mom. So what awaits me in the next ten years? I have no idea. All I know is that this is my time to focus on my family.  They are my whole world. I am excited to see what this year will bring for us. Heavenly Father has blessed me immensely. 



The Sunday before Christmas





 Autumn is wearing the same dress I wore when I was a little girl. She is a doll!





Always happy








 Our ugly sweaters that we wore for our ward Christmas party






 Not very jolly to meet Old St. Nick







 Family Photo with Santa







At Collin's work party for Wayfair








 She could not get enough of the ornaments






 I used my zoom lens at a 5 second exposure to get this shot of our tree





 Through the business of the holidays, I was glad we were able to see the Boston temple.







 In front of the tree at Quincy Market














 Boston Lights






I was blown away by the light tunnel at Columbus Park






 Boston Commons Christmas Tree













Matching Grinch Christmas Jammies






This is how the Grinch stole Christmas






She wanted to wear the antlers






 Collin once again made an amazing Beef Wellington







I made my mom's broccoli casserole






Showing off our vintage at church





Another family recipe. I made sesame chicken wings for New Year's Eve





 That's a wrap!







2*0*2*0



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