Traditions

I love traditions.  Maybe it's because I like to know what's going on, maybe it's because I like to know what to expect, and what to be excited about... I don't know.  I just remember doing little things growing up and the fact that I remember them means that it was something special.  I want Rachel and Gavin to remember special things as they grow up.  Especially when it comes to holidays.  I remember making cookies (from scratch) with my mom (and her mom) around Christmas, having certain ornaments on the tree, sitting on dads shoulders to put the star on the top of the tree, climbing in bed with mom and dad on Christmas morning and reading the Christmas story from the Bible before running into the living room to open presents, and I could go on and on!

So with all of that being said, this is the year that Rachel will start remembering from year to year what to expect around holidays.  So me and my new best friend Pinterest got together and had some fun!  I made an advent calendar of fun things to do every day in December, I made a special wreath, some blocks that say "Merry Christmas" let Rachel play with a Nativity scene and we are telling the Christmas story with that all the time!  We will be making cookies (maybe not from scratch), going to see lights and decorations, watching movies, and reading books.  Quite possibly my favorite new tradition is the Elf on the Shelf!  Rachel has named our elf Buddy Boy, and she loves coming downstairs in the morning to find where he is hiding each morning.

I can't wait to read the Christmas story from Luke 2 on Christmas morning with the kids, visit family, go to Christmas Eve service, put out cookies and Milk, and so many more things.  I just hope that holidays are special and good memories for Rachel and Gavin, and of course Dustin and me too!