Today on High Five we have Alex Davis. Alex is an incredible photographer and sweet Mom of August and Arthur (we love the A+A theme!) She captures some of the best kid moments we've ever seen (see below!) We are huge fans, Alex.

Take it away!

1. What is your favorite Holiday tradition? 

Feeding Santa's reindeer carrots. Its such a simple tradition but I remember it so well as a kid and my daughter, August just loves it. On Christmas Eve, once we've finished writing our thank you letter to Santa and setting out his cookies we take the kids outside in their pjs and boots. We throw carrots into the yard and sometimes handfuls of glitter and granola for Rudolph and his crew. While the kids are sleeping we take small bites or hide them in the bushes. Santa always leaves a note saying how much his reindeer appreciated the snacks and our daughter always gets the biggest kick out of that. 

2. What does Christmas morning look like at your house? 

We are usually exhausted Christmas morning because..hello late night of making dreams come true. August is the first one in the room, she usually jumps up in our bed and yells in her tiniest but loudest voice  "It happened, Santa's been here! Quick lets go downstairs." We all sit together on the floor and take turns opening each others gifts to Mariah Carey's Christmas Album. Then we have some goetta, waffles and TONS of coffee. Our son, Arthur is only one this year so it will be interesting to see how he handles it all. We went back and forth with what to get him and realized he'd be happy with just tearing through some wrapping paper. So along with a few books and a basketball that is exactly what he will be doing. Our daughter, August asked for a hamster named Janet this year. I swore I wouldn't do it, BUT we did it. I cannot wait to see her face when she comes downstairs and sees that little thing in the hamster ball. Then we slip on our slippers and walk to my in laws house (right across the street!). We spend the rest of our day in our unflattering Christmas jammies opening up more presents and sharing the kids with the grandparents. 

3. What are a few things on your Christmas list this year?

This Christmas has been more about the kids this year than ever before. My husband, Aaron and I agreed to only get each other small things that we need. So my list this year is so boring. But my dream list would be:

    - A dog. Oh my gosh, I just realized how big that gift actually is. But, we lost our family dog this year and I would just love to wake up to a big Golden Retriever wrapped up in a bow. 

 - Jesse Kamm Sailor pants. These are such an investment but I am a sucker for anything well made and these are seriously DREAM pants for any mama with hips and a real life. 

  - Nikon Film Camera. I am itching to get into film photography and I would just love to get started soon.

4. Do you have any tips for keeping the Holiday spirit in your home with 2 young kids? (It can be tricky, right?!) 

Keeping our holiday spirit up isn't always easy! The kids don't always want their picture taken, they rush through the cookie baking, and sometimes its just all a little overwhelming for everybody.  My husband and I walked into Toys R Us the other day and almost had an immediate panic attack. We ran out of there so fast, sweaty and defeated feeling like we hadn't done enough for the kids this year. Were they going to be disappointed Christmas morning? But none of that is true! The kids don't care about what they get and don't get, they don't care about how much or how little. They are still amazed that something as magical as Christmas exists in their small world. Sprinting through all the Christmas trees at the Christmas tree lot, building a gingerbread house with papa, leaving carrots for the reindeer. Thats what it's all about. We decided this Christmas to only get the kids things that would last, things that they could pass down, things they will treasure. Christmas rocks!

5. What’s the best white elephant gift you've received? 

The best white elephant gift we have ever received was a Nintendo 64. We played that old thing until we fell asleep in our chairs like a couple of kids. 

Thank you so much, Alex!