twelve dates of christmas / family date 01

this year, we decided to try our twelve dates of christmas tradition again, both as a family and as a couple… the goal for us this year is to have six family dates and six couple dates around the holidays. the idea first came from my friend marci, and then as josh and i always struggle with getting gifts for one another, we decided making a point to spend extra time together during the holidays was what we wanted more than gifts. to be totally honest, i secretly wouldn’t mind twelve dates with just my husband in one month this year (um hello?) but there just aren’t enough days or time for that to happen this year. and with our kids being such fun ages to really soak up all things christmas this year, it’s kind of the perfect combination for us. so splitting our dates in half and making some memories centered around the christmas season together is what we’re aiming to do this month. i’m really excited!

we hit off the family dates with an afternoon at grand central to see the holiday train show at the new york transit museum. eleanor and samson (especially samson) are terribly fascinated with trains these days. waiting in the subway for the train to come has not gotten old for samson who *still* dances and waves and signs “train” every time he sees one approaching! he might have cried his hardest when we had to leave the transit museum. kicking, screaming, and pointing back at the trains. but when your child leaves an activity kicking and screaming that means it was extra fun, right? ;) fortunately for him, santa might have found a deal on a wooden train set a few months back and it might be sitting in the back of my closet taking up precious closet space (totally worth it though) awaiting its opening on christmas morning! i should tell you, it has been the hardest not to bring it out already and give it to eleanor and samson. i’m really looking forward to setting that thing up around the tree and surprising them on christmas morning! this parent thingy sure has some perks. ;)

and these photos were taken with the Canon EOS 6D Digital SLR, which we use for both full HD video and stills. and i think i’ve mentioned it elsewhere but my jacket is an oldie from zara for those who might have missed it (it’s my most emailed question these days.)