I love the holiday season! Every year I can't wait to break out the decorations, find the perfect tree and all the other family fun.
One tradition that I cherish and still have every single one is that my mom buys me a new ornament every year. She started doing this back in the early 80s. I would have to get the ornaments out to get the exact year but i think it was 1981 or 1982. Each and every one is very special. I started the same tradition with my daughter Christine from the year she was born.
I collect the Hallmark Cat in the Hat, Grinch, Dr Seuss Book Series, and Dr Seuss characters ornaments. Every year I try to get to the store early before they sell of them.
Each year I get Christine and I a new set of matching pajamas. The first time we id this was 2001. Christine was only 10, it was when i first lost all my weight so i was super tiny and my mom has always been really small. So the first set the 3 of us got was a gap kids!! We have Grinch, a couple of different sock monkey and several other fun pj's
Once we moved to Illinois we began the tradition of going out the the Christmas tree farm with the dogs search the entire place to find the perfect tree. We always tried to wait until there was a blanket of snow on the ground.
On Christmas Chase, Christine and I pack up the dogs, Christmas cookies and hot cocoa and drive around to look at Christmas lights.
Every year we buy a new family ornament and put all of our names on it including the 2 cats and 2 dogs. Finding one with 7 places for names is hard! Sometime we have to get one with 3 for the people and a matching onewith 4 for the pets.
This year we started the new tradition that the current year family ornament will go on a wreath.
My very favorite holiday shows are The Grinch, Charlie Brown Christmas and Rudolph. I love all the characters and most of the house and yard decorations involve them.
Once we moved to Illinois in 2005 I really missed being with my mom, dad, sisters, nieces and nephews for Christmas. Last year since we moved to AZ we did drive to San Diego and see everyone but my mom she lives in Maine now. This year I am realy happy because I will be seeing everyone. My mom is planning to fly out to visit and we are making the trip to San Diego to see every one else.
The very best thing about when we lived in Illinois was the white Christmas' I really miss that!
On Christmas morning, Chase makes Christine and I what before we can come out while he
*Starts fire in fireplace 9til we moved to AZ no fire place :banghead:
*Warms up something for breakfast Apple Pancake form Walker Bros, Cinnamon Rolls etc
*He finishes filling our stockings (he goes to bed before us so he has to do in AM)
*Puts "Santa" gifts under the tree (Santa gifts are wrapped in special paper)
Another tradition that is very important to us is that every year we make sure we donate some toys to Toys For Tots. I love to pick out the toys and we try to get a few different one so we have something for different ages.
One very special memory from childhood was when I was about 3 years old. My parents had Santa come to the house and bring me presents. My very favorite was a set of The Three Bears stuffed bears.
Christmas time is a very special time to enjoy with family and friends. To reflect on what is really important in life. I am very blessed to be able to spend this season with my entire family. I am also surrounded my amazing friends. I can't ask for more.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!
