a blur and a blast

the day yesterday was kind of a blur...

but the afternoon/evening was a BLAST!!!!

we all got dressed {in outfits i'm SO excited about...i normally don't get into matching the kids for Christmas, etc...but when i saw these skirts in Target i couldn't TAKE it!}

my parents came and took LOTS of pictures of us.
one will be our Christmas picture.
i'll share more with you once i edit them...

but here's a sneak peek :-)
aren't they CUTE????

and THEN!

pat and i went out.

our time started with a letter he wrote me.
made me cry.
out of thankfulness for a husband that cherishes me and cares for me.
even when i don't deserve it.

we spent most of our time Christmas shopping for the kids.
{Pat likes to be a big part of shopping for the kids...i do everything else on the list...but it's nice to have his input on one part!}
we do this every year in November.

but.
it was frustrating.
hard to find the line between wanting them to have a "special" Christmas...and the fact that they really don't NEED anything.

plus, i think the different ways we celebrated Christmas growing up always comes out in situations like this...even many years later...it's amazing how you grow up effects so much for the rest of your life!

kind of a daunting thought as i'm raising my 4 little ones!

anyway...we made some progress.
and i got less frustrated as we went.
and we had a nice dinner together and looked at each other's faces and talked and laughed.

it was a great night.

and ended with getting to talk to my parents for awhile!
an adult conversation with no kids around!
that was a special bonus!!!

thanks for all you did to allow for such a great night, mom and dad!!!