On Christmas Day, we braved Winter’s cold for our family Christmas picture. It was a crazy idea but the beach always brought us the happiest of memories.
The water felt like ice but we managed to smile and say, “Brrrrrr.” I mean, “Cheese.”
On Christmas Day, Santa came to town and made one boy’s wish come true.
My son jumped excitedly when he saw a huge present from Santa. He jumped ecstatic when he realized he got his wish list, the Star Wars Droid Carrier Ship.
Added to his Christmas joy were the Star Wars Action Figures inside the Christmas stocking hanging by our patio door.
Little Elf gave him a small present too, a Star Wars 3D watch. Next to it is a letter from Little Elf.
On Christmas Day, we visited Jesus in the Manger and sang to him, “Happy Birthday.”
Wonderful that you took your family and yourself to the beach for renewal. Nature will do that with gusto. I wish for your family and you a marvelous year ahead.
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Thanks Sally. We had a great time by the beach. Cold but truly a grand time. Happy New Year!
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hoe fun! i laughed when i saw the highly creative approach to the christmas portrait! thank you for taking us on a barefoot jog down the beach, cold weather or warm , it was great and i feel more alive from the time spent with all of you!
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Thanks Z. Life is so short and time flies so fast not to follow what out heart tells us. For 2014, I wish for all of us to really “living” our dreams and all that make us happy.
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I send you my love and best wishes for a Happy New Year, in this I include your son, your dear wife and all your relatives in the storm torn Philippines. I really hope thar 2014 will be a better year to remember
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I hope 2014 will be a good, happy year. So much unexpected sad events but also so much joy and things to be greateful about. Wishing you and your family a wonderful New Year.
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The perfect Christmas photo is with your backs to the camera. Perfect. My nephew received the Star wars Droid ship too and that is all he played with for the next two days we visited. And he has never seen the movies, only the tv cartoon series.
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Beautiful photo. The beach is rejuvenating, but I wouldn’t have braved the cold – even for this memorable experience. 😉 Glad you had a wonderful Christmas. All the best to you and your family in 2014.
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Thanks. Cold but fun. It was actually a great day with clear blue skies and a beach all to ourselves. Happy New Year and best of everything for 2014.
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Thank you also Island Traveler for all you do to help those in need following the typhoon in the Philippines. You have brought joy, hope and inspiration to many – including those of us stateside that want to know how to help.
On a personal note, WordPress listed you as my most active commenter in its 2013 annual review. Thank you for your comments and support. I really do appreciate that and wish you and your family all the best in 2014.
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Looks like a great time! Love the pic of your son looking at the nativity. I wish we would all (including me) focus more on that and away from Santa. His story has been overblown and takes away from the true meaning of Christmas. The little note from the elf was so cute though.
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I so agree. I grew up having the Nativity and birth of Jesus as the highlight of Christmas, with of course our family sharing some great times over laughter, great food, games, stories and simple gifts. That was more than 30 years ago and so much has changed. It is still worth trying to bring back what Christmas truly means. Happy New Year.
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The shot of you three on the beach is priceless. Absolutely beautiful. Happy holiday, IT. 🙂
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Thanks. My wife at first thought it was a bit silly since it was cold and it was but after running around, laughing, and seeing the final pictures, she said, “great thing we did this at the beach!” Happy New Year.
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😉
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What a cool family picture. Is that a family tradition? If not it should be 🙂 merry Christ mas and all the best for the new year.
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It was our first but last year, we did went to see Festival of Lights and went to Dicken’s On The Strand in Galveston Island. Somehow, the magic of Christmas comes alive when we are there. It will be a part of our family Christmas tradition starting this year. Happy New Year. Thanks.
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Will be a great tradition. Happy new year to you as well.
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Love the family photo. Backsides/ posterior shots are under appreciated. No seriously it is beautiful!
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Thanks. I think back shots leaves a certain mystery and help focus on the scene and the moment it wishes to convey. Plus, looks like my best angle is my back….ha, ha, ha. Have a great 2014!
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Ha ha ha. Wishing you & yours a happy 2014 as well. 🙂
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What a great present! Happy Christmas.
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Thanks. Happy New Year!
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Beautiful Christmas memories indeed and great photo’s. I am glad you and your family had so much fun my friend. Wishing you all of the best for 2014. 😀 *hugs*
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Thanks Sonel. Sometimes, we only need to have a few happy days to say, “It’s been a great year after all!” Happy New Year to you and family. Yes, 2014 will be a great year for us all.
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Indeed IT and it will be Thank you for the lovely wishes and the same to you and yours. 😀 *hugs*
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Wow, that was a Star Wars Christmas alright. Those action figures look great! I bet your son couldn’t believe his eyes. And how kind of your elf to leave him a present too. Ours just left us a note, but it was sweet. Merry Christmas to you and your family. The beach is the perfect place to celebrate and feel refreshed.
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He had a great time with his present from us, family and friends. Just like your son, he loves Legos anything Star Wars. Happy New Year to you and your family. Wishing you a 2014 full of amazing possibilities.
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amazing moments with family. The fun factor is obvious! 🙂
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It’s always nice to go back to places we had a lot of happy memories. A great New Year to you and your family.
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What lovely gorgeous family photos and what beautiful memories. Merry Christmas and a blessed new year to you and your family. 🙂
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Thanks Imelda. A blessed, wonderful New Year to you and your family.
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I adore the beach photo with the decorations, so creative and a treasure for the future. I love the way you celebrate Christmas together, a magical time for all of you. Happy New Year to all of you my friend!
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I only got 2 days off then, 23 and 24th. Had to work Christmas Day but then, we can make the few days we have to make Christmas magical and creative for our family. Happy New Year to you and your family.
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I enjoyed Your post very much. Lovely photos which caused to my mind many memories from the time when my children were small.
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Thanks. Children make Christmas come to life and we are blessed to be part of it. Happy New Year to you and your family.
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Wonderful post! Merry Christmas and all the best in 2014!
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Thanks. Merry Christmas and a great New Year to you and your family. Yes, 2014 will be awesome for all.
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Beautiful post.What a beautiful family picture ! I am glad you had beautiful Christmas with your family.Wish you Happy new year !
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Thanks. Wishing you and your family a blessed , happy New Year.
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I love his pjs!!! and the gingerbread house! and the beach pictures…awesome!
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Thanks. The pi’s were his favorite. Happy New Year!
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Looks like you shared a beautiful Christmas together and I enjoyed reading about it. I hope your New Year’s is every bit as memorable for you all.
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Thanks John. I wish the same great things and blessings for you and your family. It’s been a whirlwind holidays but worth it all.
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Layers of great Christmas memories, and I love each one. That really is a perfect family Christmas photo. That gift, it’s huge. His reaction upon opening his gifts much be priceless for you to see. I also love the excerpt of the Little Elf, Little Elf. *thumbs up*. And that last picture … exquisite!
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Thanks Bro. One day you will have a kid of your own and I bet his or her Christmas Day will be as big as your adventurous heart. Christmas is about making others happy!
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What a wonderful Christmas you and your little Star Wars fan had together 🙂 And Little Elf makes a mean gingerbread house! Love and best wishes to you for 2014. I know you’ll make more magic together.
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Yes, Little Elf was in his creative element. Plus he had a magical glue gun to hold everything in place. Last year’s Gingerbread’s house using frosting as glue wasn’t as impressive. Happy New Year my friend and thanks for making 2013 a year to remember for our blogging community.
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I love your family Christmas photo!!! Fantastic!
Sending you wishes for a wonderful 2014 and many more memory making adventures with your family.
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Thanks Angeline. Wishing you and your family love, peace and joy for 2014.
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What wonderful Christmas memories! Your love for the beach shines through in all that you do.
I love the photos:-)
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Thanks. Christmas time was and is the happiest of holidays for me growing up and I hope to share that same magic to my son. One day, he too will have the chance to share that magic with his own family and generation. The gift of Christmas begins with each one of us.
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Very nice! I love all the pictures. 😀 Makes me remember when mine were small…. Good post!
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Thanks. Never too late to awaken those childhood Christmas joy once again. All we have to do is see and experience Christmas like a child does. Best part, our kids will make it easier for us to do so. Happy New Year.
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True.. I’m waiting on grandchildren! LOL I have one, but she is almost 8 and always spends Christmas with her other grandparents in West Virginia. My daughter is moving back here after her husband finishes getting his Dental Pediatric Degree. He said he just didn’t enjoy the grown ups as much as the kids…LOL. So, now 2 more years of school, we hope! 😀
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a belated holiday cheer to you and family, IT…i enjoyed your other post with the start of Elf’s adventure. the comment box was missing so letting you know how delightful it was to read your answers to your son’s Christmas questions. funny how we follow tradition without really knowing the history behind them. wishing you a very happy New Year, lots of blessings, prosperity and good health. ♥
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Happy New Year my friend. You too inspire me with your big heart and positive perspective of life, love and faith. Wishing you an awesome 2014. As for Little Elf, he did a great job in making Christmas fun and exciting. I told me, “Next Christmas, it will be even more magical.” Can’t wait…..
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Your love of Christmas really shines through in your posts. It all looks magical. 🙂
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Oh this is so heartwarming! That family photo on Christmas Day was just perfect and different. You are a wonderful husband and father Island Traveler. I wish you the best this coming new year!
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This is so beautiful. All the pictures are gorgeous.
Going to the beach is MY KIND OF OCCASION. I would have been there, and swimming – icy cold or not, I love feeling so alive.
So sweet, your son. Bless your beautiful family 🙂
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Beautiful pictures. The one with all of you on your back, with the candy cane, wreath and Christmas tree, I believe is “magazine-worthy” photo. Happy New Year to you and your family.
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