One of my favorite things about the holidays is the traditions that we have started over the years. Some members of our family (I won't mention any names, honey) think that traditions are silly, but I think it's part of what makes Christmas so special. These are the things that make the special memories that our children will always remember. Here are a few of the special things that we do each year...
I love to visit my mom's house during the holidays. She decorates EVERYTHING! She literally takes down all of her pictures and knick knacks in the whole house (including the kitchen and bathroom) and puts up Christmas in it's place. The kids LOVE all of the special things that Nana has at her house - especially the Christmas train! Here are some pictures of Callie getting her first glimpse of Nana's at Christmas...
Meeting Mr. Snowman
Some of Nana's animated villages...
The carolers are almost as big as Callie...
Mamma and Nana showing Callie the Christmas Music Box....
And Rudolph...
The doggie is a new addition this year!!!
My sweet Santa Baby in front of Nana's tree...
Something we like to do every year is go to Holiday in Lights and Santa Land at Sharon Woods. My favorite part is the Dicken's Carolers. I love hearing them sing every year! The kids like the train display and of course visiting Santa! Here are a few pictures from our night...
Callie loved watching the carolers sing...
The Dicken's Carolers :)
The Mayor of Santaland
Cameron and my nephew Cody enjoying their cocoa and cookies.
Something we did this year for the first time was a gingerbread house. The boys want to do one every year, so this year Nana bought a kit for Cam and Cody to build. They had a lot of fun!
On Christmas Eve we get all of the kids on my mom's side of the family together to make cookies for Santa and for everyone to enjoy on Christmas day. Although, most of the cookies that the kids make are so covered with icing and sprinkles that no one really wants to eat them :)
Callie wearing the same outfit that Cameron wore on his first Christmas at 2 1/2 weeks old!!!
Cam...anticipating his next move...
Kiah
Ayden
On Christmas Eve night, we always go to the family service at church and my parents join us. Afterward we go out to eat at Fox and Hound. This tradition started mostly because it's one of the only restaurants open past 6 on Christmas Eve! :)
Cody, Cameron, Dad, Mom, Shelby & her boyfriend Nick
Shaun, Kira & Cory
After dinner we come home and open one gift from Brandon's parents. It's always matching pajamas for the whole family. I didn't get a decent picture this year, but here's the best one...
Then we leave out some cookies and milk for Santa, put the Magic Key outside (we don't have a chimney) and head to bed....
Another friend of our's puts out a magic key too. I had never seen that until this year. Cute pictures!
ReplyDeleteMy mom saw it in a Longaberger book a while back. It was either before I had kids or when Cam was a baby. It really helps since we don't have a chimney and we don't like to leave our door unlocked :)
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