Keeping Up WIth the Smiths: Chapman's First Christmas

Last year at Christmas, we had just found out we were going to have a baby. It's crazy how fast the year went by and we were celebrating Chapman's first Christmas. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, but this year it was even more special. I still got excited to decorate, and buy gifts, and do all of the other Christmasy stuff we usually do. But I was also excited to just sit back and take everything in as we focused on the true meaning of Christmas and Chapman.

As usual it was a busy time for us. Thankfully Britt had one last Christmas break from school so we could fit everything in and not feel too rushed. We kicked of the Christmas season by getting our Christmas tree. We usually go to a tree lot and pick out the perfect tree--at least that's what we did in Birmingham. Tree prices in Birmingham were reasonable, but as is everything else in Atlanta {compared to Birmingham}, the trees were outrageous at the tree stand we went to. So we ended up finding a perfectly great tree at Home Depot for a price we could actually afford. Chapman was none the wiser that our tree didn't come from a tree lot, and he enjoyed looking at the pretty lights and ornaments once it was all decorated!

Chapman had his first visit with Santa Claus. Did you fellow Atlantians know that you have to make an appointment to see Santa at Phipps--in SEPTEMBER?? I sure did not! Thankfully, we called and got someone's cancellation one random Thursday afternoon. It was so nice not having to stand in a long line waiting to see Santa. Chapman did great; I'm not sure he was old enough to be scared of Santa yet. He smiled the whole time he was sitting in his lap...next year could be a different story. How cute is he?

We spent a few days before Christmas in Birmingham. We drove over on the Saturday before Christmas and celebrated with my mom and Jamie, Ashton and Brooks, Kasey and Matt, Deason and Rozy, Bunny {Jamie's mom}, and my Nanny--it was a crowd! Chapman was so exhausted from traveling that he slept most of the night. He did love looking at his Grandmommy's tree, though!

We spent Sunday and Monday visiting with other friends and family. We celebrated with my dad and Ashton and Brooks on Christmas Eve. We had brunch with them {maybe a new tradition?!}, then drove back to Atlanta. Christmas Eve is also Britt's birthday...so that night we had dinner at Debbie and Al's to celebrate my dear husband's birth!

Happy 27th Birthday Britt!

We got home sort of late on Christmas Even and then Santa came!! Christmas morning we woke up and celebrated with just the three of us. We had sausage balls and let Chapman see what all Santa brought him. We went to Britt's parents' for brunch. My mom and Jamie came to Atlanta so they could be with us on Christmas so they joined us for brunch as well! We hung out there all day and then ordered Chinese for dinner...it has become a tradition since nothing else is open.

It's tradition to celebrate with Britt's mom's side of the family the day after Christmas. It's great because we get to catch up with everyone we only see once or twice a year. It's really gotten fun in the last 4 years--between all the grandkids, we've added 6 great grandchildren and another one is on the way in March! Here they are in all of their cutness {minus Foster who was only 1 week old}!!

And that's it. Christmas came in went in the blink of an eye as it usually does. We are thankful that we were able to spend the holidays with all of our family. I know next year will be even more fun! I'll leave you with some bonus photos :)