The Whitfields

The photos shall tell our Christmas story. Our story of love, joy, abundance, gratitude, laughter, relationships, community, and peace. And snow. Did I mention, snow?!

A pre-Christmas visit to Grandma and Papa's house!

Christmas Eve with the family

Snowy walk to Christmas Eve church

Sweet memory to lock in: As we walked home from church, Sophie shared with me that at moments during the service, she had to stop singing the carols out loud and just mouth the words, She was so moved with emotion that she thought she would start crying. She has such a pure heart.

Christmas Eve Jammie tradition continues! But they were too hyper and excited to pose for a photo!

Sun and Snow

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

The magic is upon us! Each child is fueled by their own curiousities. Cameron is enthralled by every advent tradition: tearing open the advent calendar each morning, ripping off the scripture chain he made at preschool, moving the date forward each day on our magnetic December calendar. Sophie continues to find the joy in the magic: the magic of Santa, the lights on the tree, the ornaments, all of the decorations.

We have already visited with Santa. On a cold, chilly day, we waited in line outside. When Sophie gets excited or anxious, she jumps up and down. I'll never forget watching her jump up and down, up and down in line as we waited to see Santa. And Cameron's eyes. He has huge brown eyes, but on that particular day, those huge eyes popped out of his head. He was exccited to see Santa, but, he was also in awe. When we finally were ushered inside Santa's hut, the kids sat down and quietly responded to Santa's questions. He asked them to say "cookies" and "pizza" and "cheeeeeese" while the photographer snapped shots. Their cheeks and noses were rosey from the cold, and they were both focused, polite, and a bit tentative. Cameron's eyes never waivered as he just stared at Santa. Sophie asked for yet another American Girl, Kaya. Because she knows how expensive these dolls are, she has asked Santa for them. This would be her 3rd doll, and she is pleased with herself for saving Mommy and Daddy money by having the elves make the dolls. Cameron clearly and confidently asked Santa for "football stuff." He is in a habit of wearing his Seahawks jersey or shirt on a daily basis, so it was no accident that he wore his shirt to see Santa. Santa didn't miss a beat and started tickling Cameron's belly asking him if he liked the Seahawks. Yes. Did he like the Boise Broncos? Yes. Colts? No. Jets? No. Cardinals? No.

But, Santa crossed the line when he asked Cameron about the Steelers? Cameron spoke up and proptly said, "No, they are my least favorite team." I will remember that sweet moment forever.

As I type this, there are three empty Christmas bowls that minutes ago held popcorn. Two tubs of Barbies are strewn around the tree. A box of cars and trucks has been dumped behind me. The tv is blasting the Seahawks game LOUDLY. (I've asked Doug to turn down the volume three times,) Both the Whitfield boys are wearing Seahawks jerseys. And tonight, when the game is over, we will trek down to the neighborhood barn to see a Live Nativity.

'Tis the season of Christmas parties. Of baking cookies and barks and Oreo balls. Of staring at wrapped presents and guessing their contents. Of shopping for loved ones and purposely selecting gifts. Of cinnamon and cloves and oranges cooking on the stove. And of SNOW!