Traditions

It was a pretty crazy holiday season this year. But somehow we managed to carry on at least a few traditions. I think traditions are important. I still remember my family's traditions when I was growing up.  Christmas cookies, tinsel, peanut butter balls, chex mix, going to grandma's Christmas morning... I think traditions add to the anticipation and magic of the season. Even for adults. Some traditions may not last. New traditions may be created down the road. The thing that makes all traditions special, old and new, is the memories they help create and the time we spend with our loved ones. 

Cutting down our Christmas tree. We may not be able to do this every year based on travel plans, but when we can it's a fun part of the season.

Decorating the tree. New ornaments from Maya and Buppa.

Christmas cookies! We had just enough left Christmas Eve for the kids to each have one for dessert and leave two for Santa.  Brennan just woke up from a nap - love his bedhead.

After Christmas Eve Mass

I was going to skip this but Kaelyn insisted on making treats for the elves like we did the last two years

Reading The Night Before Christmas. Kaelyn rung her jingle bell after every page.

Tracking Santa

Reading The Night Before Christmas again because Bren refused to sit and read it with Kaelyn.

Christmas morning. They look so cute in their matching Christmas jammies. I never thought about doing it before but we may have to make that a new tradition.

Going to look at Christmas lights around the neighborhood before bed. Sometimes we do this Christmas Eve instead of Day. Elsa and Anna joined us for the adventure.

Bookworm

Reading Chapter books. Growing up too fast.

Not a big surprise that the only thing on her Christmas list (until we saw Frozen the day after Thanksgiving) was books. Maybe I should put more bookshelves on my Christmas list this year.