Christmas with the Hintz's

This year, I began a new step in my life. I have managed to make it 29 years of Christmas with my family. Last year, Joel and I ran around to make it to all of our Christmas celebrations. This year, all of Joel's siblings were in town for a short while and we wanted to be sure to have plenty of time with them. So, year 30 was spent in Appleton, WI with the Hintz family. And they like to celebrate!

Christmas Eve was spent going to church with the entire extended family and then to my father in law's house for appetizers and gift exchanges. I was able to experience this with them last year, and it is amazing how the children are growing and how they multiply :) Next Christmas there will be at least two more!

The Hintz love their traditions. One of them is that many years ago, Grandma Hintz made her first mink bowtie - and ever since, the men wear them to church every Christmas Eve. The church expects it, and love that even the smallest Hintz wears one!

Though the roads were slick, Joel and I drove home to celebrate our one and only Christmas as a couple. We slept in a little and then had the joy of hot cocoa and donuts while we opened our gifts. Joel was generous and thoughtful in his gift giving - by far the most wonderful was the Pandora bracelet he bought me to celebrate the birth of our first child. What a beautiful moment!

We then drove back to Mike's house (in our comfy clothes) to celebrate with the siblings and spend all day talking and playing games. It was a relaxing and joyful time. Wonderful to have everyone in the same room. We ended the night at Cynthia's house to enjoy the gift Elissa gave her (Harry Potter Blu-ray)!

Baby Hintz is one lucky little kid. They will be surrounded by love and support - by different perspectives, different personalities, and people who are overjoyed by the arrival of this small life. Joel and I feel blessed. So blessed.