Holt Christmas and New Years

Christmas time is always a hectic time for our family.  We have both sides pulling us in all directions and all we want to do is stay home and let them come visit us haha!  We love all the time we get to spend with family, but with a 2 year old it can be a little much.

This year are gatherings were shortened.  We had one the weekend before Christmas with my husband's side of the family at his aunt's house.  That is always a standing invite, the Sunday before Christmas.  Sometimes Jeffrey is working so he can't make it but I make sure I take Peyton and go. 

On Christmas Eve we are invited to so many things and I feel the pressure to go to all (and was planning on it this year until one very stubborn little girl wanted to have an off day).  Jeffrey worked Christmas Eve but I was invited to go to his MaMaw's house, his other Aunt and Uncle's house and then my family at my Aunt's house.  Three got shortened to one and we just went to my family's gathering (since we had already spent time with one side of his family and the other has a gathering after Christmas). 

It was a good night and Peyton got to play with her cousin Skylar.

And open presents.

She just loves Skylar!

Everyone missed Jeffrey since he worked but a good time was had by all.  Me and Peyton went home early, got tucked in bed, read Twas the Night Before Christmas and waited for Santa to come.

I helped Santa get the toys in the house but it just wasn't as fun without Daddy.
Christmas night Peyton decided to have a bad dream and ended up in the bed with me, which was nice since that never happens and I loved snuggling.  Jeffrey wanted to be home when she first saw all her gifts from Santa so we had to shut up in Mommy's room watching Toy Story until he got home.  It was worth it though for both of us to get to see the look on her face.  She was so excited she just laid in the floor rolling around at one point lol!

This Christmas we invited both of our parents over to our house.  We wanted to be able to stay home all day Christmas day so Peyton could play and possibly get a good nap.  Well we got to stay home but it ended up turning into the Grizwalds!  My dad's whole side of the family ended up coming from Richmond and I hosted my first every holiday meal with Christmas lunch, which included Jeffrey's parents and Grandmother.  I was a bit overwhelmed and stressed at the impromptu event but it turned out nice. 
We opened presents from the Grandparents and by 4pm everyone had gone home.  So we did get a little of that stress free Christmas and Peyton did get that nap (she was worn out!).
The Tuesday after Christmas we went to my in-laws for another Christmas meal and opening more presents.  We had another great time and boy were we spoiled rotten by both sides of the family!!!  We are so blessed to have so many people who love us and go above and beyond for our little Ladybug.

New Years Eve we changed it up too and stayed home...just the three of us.  And it was great!  We played with Peyton, put her to bed, then spent the night together sipping on Champagne.  I do believe we will be doing that again next year!
So to sum it up our holidays were wonderful and hoping you and yours had a great season too!!  Here's to a fantastic new year, hoping to bring more love and laughter and happiness.  We know the blessings will be bountiful!!
*I'm posting a couple pictures at the end of Peyton seeing Santa at Christmas Town, Busch Gardens Williamsburg.  We started the tradition this year to go every year with our best friends Alex & Sarah, to take Peyton (and their future and our future kids) to see Santa...it is such an awesome place when they transform the park :)*