Journey back with me to 1985. My first Christmas. It isn’t something that I remember, but now that I have kids and get to experience all these “firsts” I finally understand how special it really is. Seeing little eyes get excited about Christmas lights or keeping little hands from yanking on the Christmas tree really is something to cherish. Getting to be a witness to a child learning about Jesus and how he was born is wonderful. These little discoveries only happen one time and I was blessed to have parents who cared about them. I also pray I can be that parent to my two children.

Now for the cuteness. Me and my older brother digging under the Christmas tree:

Our family picture in front of the tree. Don’t you love my pacifier?

Three generations (how awesome is it that now we have five?!):

Little family of four (little did they know 8 years from then they would add another baby…and what a great kid he is!):

Older brother tearing into the presents (with a little help from dad):

First visit to see Santa, but really he was Fr. Bill from church.

See more flashbacks here!