Our Military Life: CHRISTMAS in Korea!

So, this will be the seventh Christmas Matt and I have spent together, as a married couple. It is the FIRST Christmas we are spending alone as a family. This is the first time we get to actually figure out our on traditions and which traditions we want to keep from growing up. It has been chaotic, but fun so far. Due to the lack of planning because it came so fast, things haven't quite fallen in to place like we'd like, but we are figuring it out.

So, we like the idea of doing a Christmas kickoff, which is an idea that comes from Matt's oldest sister. We did do it, but it was a week late. We also didn't have the kids pjs yet, so they will be opening those on Christmas Eve like we both did growing up. But, to kick off the season, the kids opened and an ornament, hot chocolate, book and popcorn. We also started the 25 days of Christ. There is an ornament for every day with a scripture, video and quote to go with it. It is to help keep Christmas Christ centered. We are still trying to catch up. If we do 3 today, we will finally be caught up. Matt and I spent two nights painting and putting together the ornaments.

Christmas Kickoff. They opened an ornament, book and had hot chocolate

On Friday the kids will sleep under the tree. This is something we'd also like to do earlier in the month but it's been crazy and Max has been sick with croup. He's finally getting better. We also plan on doing something every night next week, (week of Christmas) we just haven't planned that out yet. Harper will still have school and Matt will still have work so it's the first time we don't actually get a "Christmas break." We have finally had to grow up haha.

On Christmas Eve we are going to have the dinner I had growing up, which is basically just a bunch of finger foods. We are thinking of making and adding fruit sushi to it. The kids would have fun making it and would love eating it. We will also do Luke 2, or something along those lines. Maybe we will just use are small, baby less nativity set and do the nativity. Then, we will watch a Christmas movie and then send the kids to bed. After that, of course, Matt and I will set everything up.

Christmas Eve Dinner and new Christmas PJ's compliments of Three Two Seven Six

We are doing the "Something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read." We did have a few things we had already bought, so they will get a little bit more than that. We just want to avoid going over board like we did last year. Matt and I are both suckers when it comes to buying stuff for the kids. As for Matt and I, we won't be getting each other much this year as we want to save up to travel.

On Christmas day, we will open gifts, make breakfast, hang out in PJ's and then make ham or turkey for dinner. We have both and haven't decided what we want to do yet. Our planning is still up in the air.

So, with all of that said....we miss our families lol. I'm so excited to spend this Christmas with just the kids and Matt, but there is something about not having the option to visit family that makes me miss them all even more. Both sides! But, this will be great for us and I'm looking forward to it.