It’s Christmas Eve Eve Eve Eve Eve!
We’re wrapping up everything fun and festive left to do this season right now. Here are a few pics to prove it…
We were down on our square and stopped for a pic in the sleigh. I love McKinney, TX year around, but she sure shines in December! Our light parade was rained out a few weeks ago, but they’ve rescheduled it for TONIGHT! If you’re local, come on!! The parade starts at 7:00!
Smiles for dayssssss 🙂
Our 3rd Annual Framily Carriage Ride started off with Mexican food. This is one of my VERY favorite traditions!!
Twelve happy people about to board their carriage in beautiful Highland Park!
Before our carriage pulled up, we visited the horses on this carriage.
Erika and I love any sort of Christmas tradition 🙂 .
Love this guy so much!!
Everyone wanted to pet the horses!
Madeley loves YaYa!
When you’re trying to take a pic with your girl and your boy jumps in the way…
…ahhhhh! There she is!! I love that she loves her Boston hat 🙂 .
Sweet Ebby Lee!
All aboard! It’s so hard to get 8 kids to smile at the same time 😉 .
The lights never disappoint in Highland Park!
On Tuesday night after dinner, we loaded up and went to Walmart so that the kids could all buy each other a gift. One parent stayed in the car with three kids (and watched A Christmas Story) while the other parent took the other kiddo into the store where they could spend $20 on gifts for their siblings (all three under $20). Then, we switched. The kids had so much fun doing this!! I was so surprised by what they picked for each other and can’t wait until Christmas Day when they get to exchange their goodies…
…I took Madeley and Kensington in one at a time (and Andrew took in Ashby and Smith). Madeley knew from the get go that she wanted to buy three stuffed animals for her three big siblings. She was so excited to pick them out!
About to go inside with K for her shopping!
So, that’s what’s been going on around here lately. We’ve been having a wonderful holiday season, but please know that I understand many of you have not. I have a prayer journal, and it is filled with people who are having a really hard time right now (including any of you who have asked for prayers). For those of you who are hurting right now, please know that I am praying for you. I am so sorry for whatever has transpired in your life this season, and my earnest prayer this morning is that it passes. From the bottom of my heart, God bless each and every one of you. xo
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Wow, a horse carriage, how wonderful! I wish I could experience that too, haha – horses are my favourite animal! 🙂
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Erika Slaughter says
The carriage ride through Highland Park is one of my favorite nights all year long. The lights are amazing! And the chips and guacamole before hand are just icing on the cake!
Jen says
Have you posted this years christmas card?? If so, I think I missed it!!! You guys are the cutest family. Merry Christmas!
Mix and Match Mama says
I haven’t yet!!
Annaliese says
How is your Walmart that empty!!!!!! Ours in New England are INSANITY!
Elspeth Mizner says
What a fun and festive countdown to Christmas!!! Love following your fun traditions
Sheaffer says
Awww! I love that! I bet they kids are SO EXCITED to give each other their special gifts! That makes Christmas morning even more fun!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says
So much Christmas fun! Love the idea of the kids getting to pick out things for each other. Where’s your winter hat from?! It’s adorable!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
Nicole says
I’m so jealous of the horse and carriage ride!
We do a “ secret sibling “ exchange between our 5 boys , they draw a name and buy for one sibling
It’s always so fun to see what they pick for each other, I’m always pleasantly surprised by how well they truly do know each other.
On a side note…( if you already did a post and I somehow missed it I apologize) I would LOVE for you to do a travel post on McKinney!
Maybe highlighting the awesome events in the town square and such, I know more and more people are gifting experiences and with the readily available Airbnb’s and such it might be fun!
Mix and Match Mama says
I have done a post on McKinney! https://mixandmatchmama.com/2016/07/all-about-mckinney/
Narci says
What a fun time! I love that you guys took the kids to buy presents for each other! How sweet!
Linda Oesterle says
Love your hat…can you please share where you got it?
Mix and Match Mama says
Jane.com!!
Michele says
The Christmas season is tough for me.
I would covet your prayers.
I love your family stories.
Mix and Match Mama says
Praying for you right now, Michele.
Marla B says
I’m praying too Michele. God bless you!
Amanda says
You are a sweetheart, Shay. So kind of you to remember those with hurting hearts this time of year. Wishing your family a truly wonderful Christmas.
Sarah says
What a wonderful tradition! Thank you for sharing your Christmas joy with us. Prayers for you and your family too!
Holly Sheridan says
I got teared up just now, reading about your prayer journal and how you are praying for those hurting. What a precious soul you are Shay!❤️ Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family!
Jenna Lathrop says
Oh how I love this time of year. That carriage ride looks like so much. My kids love exchanging gifts with each other. They are always so thoughtful. I hope you have a wonderful day!
Allie says
I love how you embrace the Christmas Season! Your Kids are very lucky to have so many great traditions. I really appreciate how open you are about not everyone having a wonderful season, and how some might be hurting. I am trying to embrace Christmas, but still hurting at the same time. Christmas can be very much a reminder of those that are not here this year, that should have been. (like my 2 babies who would be experiencing their first Christmas if they hadn’t passed during miscarriage)
Love your honesty! And how much you care for your readers.
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m so sorry, Allie. Praying for you right now.
Rebecca says
I LOVE reading your blog Shay – it is always a source of joy and encouragement and inspiration to me…but I just had to take a moment to let you know that your last paragraph truly touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for your sensitivity and compassion (and prayers) for those of us in various ways feel we are “limping” along this season. You and your prayers are a blessing!!
Colleen says
This is such a sweet post. I am also sending prayers to Michele and to others who need an extra hug this time of year. I am lucky to have a wonderful family to spend time with, but I also hurt this time of year missing loved ones who have passed, and although it gets easier over time, it never truly goes away. Beautiful family, Shay! Love your blog 🙂
Laura says
I just love reading about you and your family traditions. You always have great ideas and seem to be raising such sweet kids. You also make me wish I lived in Texas… and I live in Fort Lauderdale, which is a great place to live, too!!! We don’t have any carriage rides!! ???
Susie says
Michele, I don’t know you but I am lifting you up in prayer too.
Cassidy says
That picture of Madeley on “the hunt” is so cute!!
Deb Weber says
I love your posts! I look forward to them every morning!! I also loved your stocking hat. Is it still available online? Have a blessed Christmas with your family and friends!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m not sure? Jane.com 🙂
Keisha Dawson says
Your heart is absolutely precious! Thank you for using your platform to love on others! We did our pjs, hot chocolate and Christmas lights last night, and we are doing our sibling shopping tonight!
Samantha says
I do enjoy your blog. I like your recipes and book recommendations. I feel like i know you and your sweet family. I suffered 3 miscarriages so I can relate to your infertility issues and I myself am adopted. I feel like we would be friends in real life. But today I almost didn’t read when I saw the heading. Normally Christmas is my favorite time of year but this will go down as the worst ever. I truly am happy for your family and all the great ways you celebrate the season but unfortunately it just reminds me of what we aren’t doing this year. You see my husband lost his job in November (not his fault downsizing and closing offices) so we can’t afford to do any of our usual Christmas events. Watching hallmark movies is the extent of our Christmas events this year because it’s free. It’s not that I’m jealous of others just super sad that we aren’t celebrating and doing all the fun things we normally do. Unfortunately we also had a family member die, wrecked a car,had malicious gossip destroy a reputation, a child didn’t get into a school he thought for sure he’d get into as he has the scores, etc this month. So I appreciate that at the end of your post you wrote that not everyone is happy this season. We all need to remember that we don’t know what others are going through. We don’t know their sadness and the burdens they are carrying. There are many walking wounded among us who put on make up and a smile and just try to get through the day and this season of “joy”. Thank you for acknowledging that and I hope others remember it too.
Mix and Match Mama says
Samantha, I promise to be praying for you this holiday season. I am so sorry that you’re walking this road right now. Sending you so much love!
Sandy Manning says
Praying for you now Samantha. I was reading several comments and I can totally relate to you right now. My husband has been looking for a job for two years. It is so rough. He is highly qualified with great experience but we are older so that can work against him or he’s considered too qualified. He has been trying everything. We have four young adult kids and this is the 2nd year we can’t buy gifts and one of our sons is getting married 12/29 and we aren’t able to help financially. We are waiting on the Lord and know he allows trials in our lives to sanctify us but it doesn’t keep us from feeling the pain of the trial. We are sad too this Christmas season and are trying to find joy in our relationships and other things that are OK in our life. And we too have enjoyed many a free Hallmark movie! Please email me if I can be an encouragement to you in some way. If you’re local, I live near Shay. sjmtex@sbcglobal.net
Tracy says
What fun Christmas shopping for each other. I hope you’ll share later what they all picked out!
Theresa Wenz says
I have been loving all of your holiday posts lately and I think it is super cute that you take your adorable kiddos out to shop for each other….I also thought it was pretty funny (not sure if planned) that you took the Red Sox fans and your hubby took the Yankees fans…..???
Mix and Match Mama says
That was not planned…but clearly, I subconsciously wanted to shop with the smartest two 😉 .
Brittany Stevens says
Ok the new Walmart tradition where they buy gifts for each other has got to be the sweetest thing! Love your babies’ hearts <3 So fun to see y'all yesterday!
Karen Ward says
Praying for you both, Samantha and Michele!
Beth says
Thank you Shay for the last part of this post. I’m getting around to reading this post a day late because yesterday one of my students took their own life. It was a rough day and I simply wasn’t in the mood to read anything holidayish. Today will be rough too, so please pray for my sweet kids.
Mix and Match Mama says
Praying right now, Beth!
Kendra says
You are truly the sweetest Shay!! I just adore you and praying you and your family have a blessed New year ahead. Love all your fun traditions!! XOXO