We had a great Christmas. It started on Christmas Eve. I made cinnamon rolls while Brayden and Ryan decorated cookies and took them to all the neighbors. It was so freezing cold outside, but Brayden was determined he wanted to deliver the cookies with dad. They were at our neighbors house and Ryan was talking with Gladys. Brayden could no longer take the cold and said, "Gladys, we have more cookies to deliver," then he turned and headed back for the house. LOL We then had our traditional Christmas Eve dinner. We start out with a spread of meats and cheeses, for appetizers, along with cholate covered pretzels, homemade peanut butter cups, chex mix, and other various treats. This is our appetizer. Then for dinner we have fillet minot, twice baked potatoes, and a special raspberry drink.
This tradition is a mix of our two families (Ryan's family always had a spread of different items, and my family had a sit down candle light dinner). This evolved on our first Christmas together. Ryan had said he would prepare the meal on Christmas Eve. I was much disappointed to find nothing but snacks. I told him that all the food looked great, but what were we having for dinner? He pointed to the spread and said "THIS." I was distraught thinking that we wouldn't be having my candle meal. At the time we were house sitting for one of Ryan's professors. They told us we could eat anything we could find, so we headed to the freezer to see what we might fix. They had two fillet minons which we took and prepared. So ever since then, it has been our traditional Christmas Eve dinner. We sure enjoy the mix of the two traditions. Although, this year we were reminiscing and thinking that, while it seemed a good idea at the time, we probably shouldn't have eaten their imported steaks. I will say though, that year has been the best tasting steaks we have ever had :)
After dinner the kids opened their new Christmas pajamas and we loaded in the car to go look at the Christmas lights. We found this amazing house that had the lights timed to music that you tuned in on your radio. It was amazing! Ryan and I really enjoyed it, the boys however were asleep before we made it to the first house. Our plan was to go home and read the Christmas story from the Bible and then leave cookies and milk for Santa. Then off to bed. Ryan was going to sneak outside and ring sleigh bells to excite Brayden. However, we ended up just putting them in their beds since we still had to put the Bellows to bed. Then we spent the night wrapping presents, I was resewing some parts of the tee pee, and Ryan made a trip for batteries at 12:30 am which I think cost more then the toy itself. We were tired by the time we made it to bed, but it sure was fun. Christmas morning both Brayden and Dylan had fun. I made a tee pee for Brayden (although I think Dylan likes it the best). It's amazing to me how observant this child of mine is. We were eating Christmas brunch and Sylvia asked Brayden what Santa brought. He told her a "pop gun' (nerf gun) but didn't include the tee pee which was supposed to be the big exciting gift right. So we said to Brayden. What about the tee pee didn't Santa bring you that? He says, "Santa didn't bring that mom did. She bought the cloth at the store and then bought poles." I couldn't believe it. I had bought the cloth a month or two ago! He also got candy land, several books from both sets of grandparents, pajamas, and a blanket. Dylan got an incredi block, pajamas, books, and stacking blocks. Ryan got the complete set of Planet Earth, and Blue Planet (the best nature documentaries ever seen), a money clip, a puffy vest, and a personal blender to make smoothies to take to school. Kelsey got all the Jane Austin DVDS, a bamboo tray for soaking in the bath tub that hold a book and drink, and the coolest spice rack that measures the spices directly from the container. As a family we got a new crock pot, a reverse osmosis water purifier (from the Browns), and a food storage startup kit along with some reference and church books (from the Yates). Thanks everyone for thinking of us!!
After opening presents we had our Christmas Brunch (which is a breakfast casserole so mom doesn't have to cook) and just enjoyed the day being with each other and playing games and watching movies. It really was a great day!! We love our traditions and have plans to start a couple of new ones next year. (Write down our gift to Christ for the year and put it where we can see it periodically. Also dress up for our Christmas Eve dinner).
What are your favorite families traditions for Christmas? Leave a comment so all can enjoy
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