Hello friends! I hope you had a beyond amazing Christmas!
Mine sure was!
We have lots of traditions in my family. Do you have
traditions?
Each Christmas Eve we drive out to Emmett to my Aunt Janie’s
house to celebrate with my family. I have not missed a Christmas Eve at Janie’s
in my entire life – now that is quite a tradition! We always have soups for
dinner on that night, chili, clam chowder or minestrone. Those are preceded by
lots of snacking on all sorts of yummy appetizers. Usually I can barely finish
a bowl of soup by the time we get around to that.
Another Christmas Eve tradition is that Santa always makes a
special stop at Aunt Janie’s on his way around the world. I used to sit
patiently at the window and look for Rudolph’s nose glowing in the distance and
listen for sleigh bells. These days, I instead get to see that excitement and
joy in my little cousins. Santa has changed a little over the years too – he is
a tradition passed down through the men in my family and the past few years it
has been my dad. I can barely control my laughter when he arrives, trying to
mask his voice and mannerisms. He really does do a good job though!
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My sister Lise and I sitting on "Santa's" aka Dad's lap |
Christmas Day is always spent at my parents’ house. This
year was the first year I didn’t spend the night there. I wanted to wake up in
my own house with James and Gunner for Christmas. However, I did rush over to
my parents’ place the second I got up (James had left to work by then).
We always start with our stockings, followed by a beverage
of choice. This year we opted for bloody maries. Yummmmm.
Next are the presents under the tree. Every year I am beyond
spoiled by my parents – I admit it. Spoiled rotten. But this year some of my main gifts were “needs”
not “wants” as I like to say. You know you are starting to be a grown up when
you get excited about a new snow shovel and a vacuum cleaner. But hey I’m thrilled!
After all the gifts are unwrapped and we say our thank yous
and exchange hugs, it’s time for breakfast. Each year my mom makes quiche, my all-time
favorite breakfast. It is special because we only get it at Christmas.
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This is actually the quiche I made for James and I the day after Christmas. Turned out pretty good I think! |
Then I spend the day lounging around the house with my
family enjoying our gifts and time with each other. This year we had a new
addition. Gunner loves to spend time at “Grandma and Grandpa’s” with his best
friend Bailey. We all had a great day.
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So handsome |
This year however, I added in a few new traditions – mostly involving
the man in my life :)
After doing Christmas dinner later that night with his
family we headed home to exchange presents.
He had been at work all day and
hadn’t gotten to open anything yet.
I was finally able to SURPRISE him this year with an Xbox One.
He was like a kid - couldn’t wait to set
it up and play with it!
Overall it was an absolutely WONDERFUL Christmas. I am so
blessed for everything and everyone in my life. Here’s to happy New Year as
well!!