It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Halloween is fun and all, but starting November 1st until the end of the year is my most favorite season.

Yes, I've been known to start listening to Christmas music in the middle of October...and maybe sprinkled throughout the year...but for me Christmas isn't just a December 25th thing.  And at the risk of sounding super corny I will say that the meaning of Christmas should be celebrated and lived out through the whole year.  :)

Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday, and to me, everything about Thanksgiving and Christmas are one in the same.  Both are wonderful, wonderful times to gather with my awesome family and celebrate thankfulness for each other and for God's provisions. 

And I know I've mentioned it before, but I love that Maverick was born in the wee hours of Thanksgiving morning.  (Although I thought for sure he was going to arrive before midnight...maybe it was the fact I was in full labor and wanted him out, ha!)  Of course any other day would've been wonderful too...but it was such a blessing to have Mav given to us on that day.  A day to celebrate our Thanks to God for the miracle of life, especially since we didn't know if we could have children or not.

There are a gazillion things I love about this time of year.  Peppermint mocha.  Crackling fireplaces.  Baking goodies.  Watching the snow fall gracefully from the heavens.  Giving presents.  Candlelight.  Twinkly lights.  Christmas Eve church service.  Looking at decorations.  Watching Christmas movies.  Gingerbread houses and Sugar cube Castles.  Just to name a few.  :)

I wish my house looked like this!  Someday maybe.

It's fun to carry old traditions, and now that we are our own little family, begin new ones.  Among many old ones: watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  Classic. (It's pretty much a documentary of my side of the family, ha!)  A new tradition:  reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas to Maverick, and setting out the cookies & milk with the "Santa Key".  (since we don't have a fireplace)  I can't wait to see what Mav thinks this year since he will actually sort of know what's going on, ha!  This picture was last year and he was just over 1 year old, holding the key and sitting next to the book.

I'll end with my most favorite Christmas song ever.  I love cello music, love, love, it.  So it's my favorite Christmas song played from my favorite instrument.

I couldn't find the exact version I have at home, but this is so gorgeous too.  Enjoy!