Team O'Hare: BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!

I don't remember too much as a small child. Maybe because most of it is not worth remembering, but either way I do remember a few things and I will probably share most of them throughout my blogging life. I must have been about 4 or 5 years old when my sisters and I were an angel on a tree with the Salvation Army but I honestly have no idea if that was the case. But it was a week before Christmas, and when my family came home one evening and walked through the front door we had MOUNDS of wrapped presents with pretty bows. My heart was pounding, I could feel happy tears forming at my eyes, and remembering this I still get chills. I don't believe that I ever believed in Santa Claus. I don't remember ever having the conversation with anyone that he was real or not real. In some sense it makes me sad that I never had that magical feeling. Even with all this said I have loved Christmas. Everyone (except for when they are driving) seems to be extra happy and giving. I want my boys to have MOUNDS of presents even though I know it's not necessary. I don't want my children to be ungrateful, but I want them to have the life I did not have growing up. Maybe I'm being unrealistic, but I truly can not help it. I want Christmas to be MAGICAL.

This year was THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER! I can only hope that every year will only exceed this year because even after all we have been through in the last couple of weeks the last few days were the most fun we have had in a LONG time. On Christmas Eve, Kevin and I spent most of the day preparing for Christmas. So much preparation that we didn't even go to bed until midnight! But we had prime rib dinner, and we all ate in our formal dining room, which we never do. We opened up our best wine from Italy and truly ate like royalty. Even though it was only us, I still got dressed up to the nines and even wore heels. We had family Christmas without actual family. The boys died over the puppet theater from Aunt Colleen, back packs filled with military trucks and police men from Grandma Sue and even Legos from Aunt Sherry! It was how I always dreamed Christmas Eve to be. Warm. Happy. Loving. Poor Kevin put together what Santa was bringing the boys the next day and it took 2 1/2 hours!! Good thing the Christmas Story is on repeat on Christmas Eve. :)

Christmas with small children has to be the best feeling. The excitement in their eyes and in their voice can not help but put even the faintest smile on the most miserable people. My kids, both of them, were wild with excitement. Jackson's exact words five different times were "This is the best Christmas Ever!!" Even though Kevin and I are sure he doesn't remember another Christmas. Then he said "Thank you mom and dad!" I was like NOOOOO Thank Santa!! :)

Kevin and I busted out the bloody mary's around 8 AM and continued to be very merry. The TV did not get turned on for most of the day, we had dance off parties (which really is not anything new in our house) and we played outside while smoking our Brisket. During naps, Kevin and I had our Christmas together and later we went to our friends Brian and Michelle's for a drink (like we needed any more at that point). They live in our neighborhood so it was easy and fun. The kids played like angels, and Michelle and I got some much needed one on one time drinking over Irish coffee's while Brian and Kevin smoked Christmas cigars... Truly the best Christmas Ever.

Making sugar cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. Thought this would be an easy task and boy I was wrong!! I LOVE the picture of Jack's fat little hand.