Christmas 2016

Ya'll it has taken me this long to recover from Christmas . I am not sure why but this year has felt more exhausting then years past. I was off more days with the kids and the endless fighting (between the kids ) and screaming (by me) left me feeling more frustrated than joyful. Plus Nick worked on Christmas Day! It just didn't feel like Christmas . Maybe in part it was our first Christmas not celebrating at my grandma's , part nick working , and parts missing my dad more this time of year . Even Max asked several times while we were in Augusta if we were going to grandma Habermehl's house. Telling a 4 yr old we can't go there because she doesn't live there and she is in heaven with papaw Louie is like talking to a patient with a concussion ! All in all though the kids and I made the most of the time nick was home Christmas Eve eve and Christmas Eve and even more time than normal with my family by staying all night at "home".

On the 23rd  the kids opened gifts from us and nick and I exchanged our gifts as well. Later in the day we  surprised the kids with tickets to the Polar Express train ride in Lebanon , Ohio along with some new pj's ! They were so excited and we were too. During the hour long journey Santa and his elves made their way through the train spending time with each family. Balloon artists (elves) were also on board entertaining the kids. The train station was dressed in Christmas cheer . Before boarding they served hot chocolate and cookies! We all had a blast and can't wait to do it next year! 

For total transparency and to prove pictures can be deceiving, we might look like the little happy family, BUT.... right before boarding the train Nick handed me the tickets. I mindlessly stuck them in my Vera bookbag. We picked out our seats but then decided to move to another spot right after Nick handed me the tickets. Getting to our new spots, he asked me for the tickets because they were coming around punching the tickets. I looked and looked in my purse, my pockets, and under our seats. I could not find the tickets anywhere. My heart started racing, and Nick was getting mad. We looked for the tickets for about 10 minutes. Finally we had found them but not before we were in a huff and totally raging mad at each other. Tis the season right?! Just thought I would share. I am so guilty of looking at other couples, families, etc and being completely jealous because they seem perfect and happy compared to my hot mess family. Then I think I wonder if others do the same with mine not knowing one hour prior to picture being taken there were definitely no smiles!!   

On Christmas Eve Santa made his first stop at our house . We told the kids Santa had to start early for all the families who's mommies and daddies worked on Christmas Day! While the kids played with all their new toys I made our Christmas dinner. I was pretty impressed with how yummy it turned out! I am by no means a great cook lol but can follow a recipe! Nick really wanted  to 

Attend midnight mass. We hadn't been since mere was a baby. We started attending the earlier mass times on Christmas Eve because it was just easier with kids.  I am so glad he insisted. The mass was beautiful and the choir was amazing singing all my favorites! Max slept during the whole thing!! We didn't go to bed until after 2am though ! 

On Christmas Day nick left for work and the kids, the dog, and i left for Augusta . We picked my mom up and then made our way to my brother's house to exchange gifts. On thanksgiving the kids drew names! My brother and sister in law gave my mom , sister and I the sweetest gift. It was an ornament with my dad's picture ! I absolutely adored it and was my favorite gift of all !! After we made our way to my aunts for dinner . My aunts can cook ! They got it from my granny!! I love coming from such a bug family and love when we all get together . Ended the night there playing left, right, center ! Even the kids played! It was so fun (now I need to purchase the game)! That evening the kids and I relaxed and watched tv at my moms ! It was nice to finally get to sit back and relax with a glass of wine. The next day it was unseasonably warm! I took advantage and walked off some of those endless calories I had consumed the last couple days . We then got ready and headed back to our house to meet nick and have our final Christmas celebration with his family . By that evening I was exhausted! I had a couple days off to recoup but the kids were stir crazy and fighting like wild animals that it just wasn't very relaxing . I did manage to take them to the movies to see sing ! Then it was back to work again . I feel like their Christmas break wasn't very enjoyable but hopefully they block out all the madness and remember the good ! Fingers crossed !! Hope everyone else had a great Christmas ! 

The Habermehl Grandchildren

Bryce, Bensyn, Meredith, Abbey, Delaney, & Max

Hands down the best gift I received this Christmas from my brother and sister in law. This time of year is always a little difficult. My dad LOVED Christmas.

Love my aunt's new farm house table . It was made locally and I think I am going to be paying a visit to get one made for  our house!!

Officer Max in the house!! His new pj's from Nanny. (We found them at H & M)

Asleep by 7P!

time for momma to relax in her new jammies and a glass of wine. I love my mom's apartment decorated at Christmas. It might be small but she has all our decorations and ornaments from when we were small!!

Pretty much my "uniform" (Lula leggings and Loft cardi)

Xoxo, Tracey 

ugly Christmas Game Night + Nutcracker

How in the h e double l are we just a few days away from Christmas? It does not even seem possible. I am so glad I am ready so I can enjoy the coming days stress free. Well as stress free as I can get lol. I am always stressing about one thing or another. But I want to soak up these coming days with the kids. I wish I wasn't working all week to enjoy it a little bit more but momma's gotta make that money. haha. To celebrate Christmas we had our first party with our game night crew. Ya'll we had another amazing time. I can't tell you enough how blessed we are to have these people . I would be lost without these ladies especially. Being a wife let alone a fire wife is no joke and isn't for the faint of heart. It's nice to have close friends who get it. Any who,  We amped it up again this year with wearing ugly Christmas attire! I found the cutest ugly Christmas dress at Target. We did a gift exchange. Each couple brought 2 gifts..... one bad and one good! Oh my some of the bad gifts haha. Loved it. We ended up playing Speak out. Go get this game. It is awesome and so hilarious. If you haven't seen this game you can find it here! Had the best snaps from it too! I thought I was going to wet my pants lol!! Let's just say momma had a little too much fun because our dang elf forgot to move! I woke up Sunday in a panic and was hoping kids weren't up! Well, Mere was already downstairs! (Girl throws a fit during week to get out of bed but on weekends she is still up no later than 7 😩)! She asked why the elf didn't move. Option a was - momma had a little too much to drink or b- maybe the elf knew you and your brother's behavior hasn't been very good so she didn't want to tell Santa and is giving you a chance to do better! I went with B ! 😉

Sunday afternoon Mere and I had a much needed girl's day. We went and saw the Cincinnati Ballet's Nutcracker. We got there about a half hour prior to it starting. Nick dropped us off right out front. We got to our seats and had an amazing view of the stage. We could not have picked better seats. Mere told me at least 3 times thank you for taking her and could we do this again next year. I can't wait. I think this will be a yearly tradition for us. I was a little worried she would think it was boring. I was pleasantly surprised that she loved it. I did as well. It was my first time seeing the Nutcracker as well.