Our {2013} Christmas

Christmas at the Stanford house was very merry this year!

We decided to stay home for the first time, and it really was such a joy!

We've been in our new, sweet home for just over six months, and it felt really great to decorate and then be able to appreciate the decor by STAYING HOME! hehe

Papa and Gigi decided to come on up and have a spend-the-night party, so it worked out!

It was one of those hilarious Christmas Eve's where, after the candlelight service, Chinese food and showing of White Christmas, Renaissance and I were up EXTREMELY late working on Scoot's Christmas gift {a DIY kitchen created out of an old nightstand... more on that later!}

Then, of course, I decided that I would take on the Pioneer Woman's brined turkey...

Oh ambitiousness... I love you and I hate you

Delicious, yes! But, what was I thinking!!! Turkey babysitting is intense, y'all!

1:30 a.m..... 3:30 a.m..... 6:30 a.m...... the hours just kept flying by! Maybe that's why that Christmas afternoon nap came in handy so much! {Thanks honey!}

Finally, Christmas morn dawned! Having an almost 3-year-old and an 8-month-old was really interesting. One ripping into her gifts and the other one playing with the wrapping paper!

It was such so special to have a casual. meaningful Christmas sitting at home, reading the Christmas story, eating yummy food and enjoying each other's company! We didn't even finish opening our presents until late in the afternoon. Slowing down has become such a wonderful thing, to me, and this Christmas was definitely one of those special times.