Our Family Holiday

I've read a lot of blogs lately about holiday traditions. The family traditions during the holiday time are what made them so special to me growing up. When I think back on my childhood, it's rarely the presents or gift giving that I remember, it's always those special times spent with my family. I've been thinking about some of our traditions growing up, some that have been added in recent years, and some that we want to add to our little growing family. Here are some that I can remember.

-My parents would drive us around every year looking at holiday lights and would always try to find a really impressive house.

-We would all decorate the tree together. As we got older it was mostly Mom and me. I had my own stash of ornaments that I always got to put on the tree.

-We would watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and White Christmas every year. I have fond memories watching White Christmas with my mom and singing along with every song.

-We were allowed to open one gift on Christmas Eve of my parents choosing.

-About 10 years ago my parents started the tradition of buying one new ornament for us every year.

-About 4 years ago my dad started the tradition of decorating gingerbread men cookies together. He even makes the cookies! And they are really yummy, especially with the icing and candy all over them ;) I love this time watching all the kids be so imaginative.

Eddie had some neat family traditions growing up too. They would all go to bed early Christmas Eve and then wake up at midnight Christmas morning to open presents. Fun, huh?!?! Eddie said the other day that he realizes now what a feat that was for his parents to do that for them ;) They also would play games a lot of games on Christmas with the family. I really like that one!

So far, we have continued the new ornament each year (starting with Jalon's first year), driving looking at holiday lights, decorating the tree together (including Jalon putting on his own ornaments as well as others), opening a present Christmas Eve, and playing games on Christmas day. This year we are adding a new tradition, putting together and decorating a gingerbread house with Jalon. He saw one and asked if we could do that. I was so excited when I found a kit that did not have anything he is allergic to. Below are some pictures recent pictures and us decorating the tree.The finished tree. There is no theme, unless you want to say a "Memory" theme. Almost all of our ornaments have a special memory or person associated with them. It's a walk down memory lane every year we decorate our tree.Wow, right?!?! Jalon asked me to get in. Can I please get some mommy award for climbing in this tiny car?

Thanksgiving

We enjoyed a really nice Thanksgiving vacation. It was very relaxing and refreshing. On Friday we had a great time with our family; eating great food and hanging out together. The kids had a great time in the basement of my Aunt Sharon and Uncle Tim's house. At one point they had like a five member band going. It was quite the sight and sound.

The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing, shopping, and putting up our holiday decorations. Jalon loves the holiday lights and was excited to see them on our tree. He loved putting his ornaments on the tree, even though a lot of them ended up on the same branch ;)

It was a great weekend reflecting on the things we are truly thankful for in life. We have so much to be thankful for.