A Harris Family Christmas

Remember in my Thanksgiving post, when I talked about how Jamie and I get the best of both worlds during the holidays? On his side, in Houston, we get to just relax and lay around and eat. But on my side of the family, here in Tennessee, holidays look a little bit more like the opening scene of Home Alone… mass chaos. But I love it. It’s all I’ve ever known growing up, spending Christmases with all our (many) grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, cousins’ significant others, dogs, etc. Everyone squeezes past each other in the kitchen to refill their sweet tea or get more turkey, and gift exchanging is a big deal. We sit in a circle and everything. Sometimes someone is even appointed to say a few meaningful words. We may not be perfect in real life, but we do our darndest to look like we’re apart of a Norman Rockwell painting. I’ve always loved that about the holidays.

This year was especially meaningful, as we were very close to not having our dad with us. If there’s one thing going through his stroke recovery has taught me, it’s to not take anything for granted. So this year, as we get to spend the entire week here at my parents’ house, I’m so, so grateful to just spend this time with him and the rest of our family. I’m learning to slow down and cherish moments as they unfold around me, and this Christmas season has been no exception.

When Jamie and I first got into town last Thursday, the night before Christmas Eve, we were greeted by Aaron at the door. He and his mom Ulana are very close to our hearts, and I was excited to have a gift opening with them. There’s something so much more magical about seeing Christmas through a child’s eyes. Watching his excitement as ripped open that paper made me feel just as excited. Aaron’s always been a huge Toy Story fan, so my parents got him a Jessie and a Rex to befriend his Woody and Buzz. So adorable.

Love this one of my dad with Aaron… They have a such a strong bond.

Aaron and his mama… so cute! (Notice how Aaron is making Rex “smile” for the camera.)

The next day, on Christmas Eve, my mom made lunch and we exchanged gifts in our immediate family, since my brother Seth was going to spend the evening with his girlfriend Joy’s family and because we’d be in Nashville on Christmas day. She made quite the feast, and we had so much fun listening to all my parents’ crazy stories they had from when they were teenagers.

(Aren’t Seth and Joy so stinkin’ cute?!)

Can you believe we had a white Christmas… in Tennessee? That hasn’t happened since we were little kids! I took these at the first set of grandparents’ house we visited, my Nan and Pop (mom’s parents).

This is my Aunt Heather, who is a faithful blog reader and commenter here. I love her!

Decorating genes run in the family, as you can tell….

Then we headed to my other set of grandparents’ house, Grandmother and Granddaddy (dad’s parents). Here’s my mom holding baby Harris, my cousin Ellen and Jeff’s son and the newest addition to the family.

Grandmother’s Christmas decorations are delightfully retro. :)

And here’s Caroline, Jeff and Ellen’s daughter. Look at those big blue eyes!

Gracie Mae is Granddaddy’s baby, clearly.

How much do you want to pinch these cheeks right now?!

Jeff and Ellen and I had tried to work out a time to do a family session while we were both in town, but circumstances didn’t allow it, so we went outside to snap a few quick photos. I just love these. Are they good looking or what?

And here are our other cousins, Caity and Will. (Remember the session I did for them last fall?)

Grandmother and Granddaddy. So sweet.

And finally, THIS is what a Harris Christmas will do to you….

To all our family, thank you so much for making this Christmas so memorable for us. It was wonderful to see you, even if for only a few hours. We love you all so much and can’t wait to see you again!