This year our holiday centered around Uncle Claes and Aunt Vikki's house in New Hampshire. We left home early in the morning of Christmas eve and drove more than three hours to get here. Our cousins have a new house and this was our first time visiting as a whole family. We had our traditional Swedish smogarsbord for dinner last night and then spent time exchanging gifts between cousins and siblings. We all went to bed a little later than normal and the boys fell asleep quickly - thank god. The morning arrived and at around 7:30 we all went down to see what Santa had brought. Probably one of my most favorite moments of Christmas is this one. The boys- so excited about stockings and gifts - patiently wait for everyone, and then as they opened, were completely and utterly grateful for everything. No whining, no disappointment, just happiness. This is so remarkable to me because I feel like my holiday memories as a kid around gifts are filled with disappointment. I don't think with five kids, my mom could keep track of what we desired, and I think I was always a little sad that I didn't get what I had hoped for. I pay attention to this as a mom. To see my kid's delight makes me so happy. Their joy and kindness, their gratitude and generosity is more than beautiful - it is the best gift of all.
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