This was our first Christmas in Oregon. While we certainly missed our family & friends back in Texas, it was nice to be together just our little family in our home without having to travel.  We enjoyed snuggling by the wood burning fire, and made a big breakfast together, and stayed in our pajamas all day. Brian watched a little football, we played outside, and we rested.

As I’ve mentioned several times, the Lord has blessed us immensely with great friendships in Oregon already. A testament of this was one of our first friends (meet  at church) offered up their old train table (they have 4 grown boys) to gift to Brady on Christmas day as if it was from us.  This was huge, as it’s been a tight season (where the cost of living has increased for us, I’m re-building my photography business here in Portland, and Brian was laid off in August & unemployed for several months & is now going back to school at the end of the month). So, our budget for gifts this year was a little more lean than usual.  Though, we’re never really in want, because we’re blessed by friends and family. THIS being a huge example.  Anyway, Brady was thrilled to wake up to his very own train table in the play room on Christmas morning. As you’ll see in the video, we were showered with gifts from our family back in Texas. We are super grateful and don’t take it for granted!

We FaceTimed with each side of my family and called the rest of family on Christmas day. Thank goodness for technology, huh? Brady is so used to it now and walks around with my iPhone or iPad like he’s a pro.  He showed Rara his new gifts (which she sent a plethora of) and played with his new kinetic sand over FaceTime.

We were extended several invitations to spend Christmas day with friends in Portland, and as grateful as we were, it was nice to just enjoy each other at home on Christmas Day.

Here are some shots from the day and a little family video, too.