Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Eve!

This may just be my favorite day of the year! As you already know from the Vititus Recipe that I shared on the blog yesterday, my family has a few crazy Lithuanian Traditions that we’ve carried over from our heritage. In addition to Vititus, we celebrate our big family gathering on Christmas Eve where we share a giant meal and toast to the New Year. My great aunts, cousins, and immediate family cram together in my grandfather’s house for the entire afternoon and it’s truly the highlight of the holiday!

And tonight, after we’ve eaten far too much food… We’ll be changing out of our fancy Christmas attire into some much needed leggings and a sockbun for the cozy white elephant exchange at my Mom’s house!

It’s these little things in life that are the big things. Dinners shared together. Laughter around sweet cookies and tiny wrapped gifts. Giant bear hugs and Christmas music as we all sit together on the sofa.

I’m reminded of the mornings when we would rush out of bed, normally at 6 or 7am, to ask my mom to “scare away the elves” who were hiding on the first floor so that we could open our presents. And the joy of seeing my grandparents walk through the front door, Mom-Mom always wearing her floor length fur coat, as they picked us up in their arms before brunch. The smell of coffee, the sound of wrapping paper torn open, and the sight of frost on the grass outside.

Thank you Anna for taking our Christmas Picture this year! 

I cherish every single second of the holidays because I’ve grown to learn how short and precious our lives are. So this year I vow to wake up early, cherish every minute, hug my Momma even tighter, and open my heart to the cheesy, unceasing laughter, that arises from jokes told after dinner and Christmas sweaters worn completely for the sake of celebration.

Merry Christmas, Friends. I hope this year is filled to the brim with love + laughter!

I will be out of the office and away from email + my blog for the rest of the week while enjoying some precious time with my family! I have some amazing content ready for you on Monday as we wind down 2014 and get ready for the New Year!