My Favorite Time of Year

Hi all!  I haven't done a mid-week post in a while, and I thought I'd write one about my favorite time of year... Christmas!

Cute ornament from my mom and sister!

Ever since I was little, I've always loved Christmas.  My parents did a lot to make it a special time for us growing up, and that's probably why I love it so much.  My mom always went all out decorating, and it's something I've enjoyed doing in my own home as well!  When we were younger, we lived very close to our grandparents, and I can remember getting up on Christmas morning, and opening our stockings while waiting for Grandma and Grandpa to come over and watch us open presents.  Once we moved farther away, it wasn't so easy for them to come over so quickly, so they started spending the night on Christmas Eve.  We started out having a big meal on Christmas Eve with our aunt, uncle and cousins, but eventually, the adults decided it made more sense to have one big meal on Christmas and do something a little more relaxed on Christmas Eve.  Every year, I remember the days leading up to Christmas Eve as a frenzy of activities... baking, shopping, and wrapping presents.  Christmas Eve, we would spend the whole day preparing appetizers and doing last minute baking.  We'd just spend the night watching Christmas movies by the fire, hanging out with our cousins, and opening one present!  The adults all hung out and talked, and it was one of my favorite days of the year. 

It looks like Santa already visited!

Snowman in the cranberry tree forest!

As we grew up, we continued the tradition as best as we could, but eventually, it dwindled down to just my immediate family hanging out, watching movies and playing games.  It was always lots of fun!  Things have changed a lot in the last few years, and now hubby and I spend Christmas Eve with his family... a tradition all their own they've enjoyed for many years too. It's always sad when old traditions change, but that means that new ones are beginning, which is nice.

I can't wait to start our own traditions with our little family.  I'm already so excited for next Christmas with Little Baby T!  There are a few things that I already know I want to do... Elf on the Shelf, special Christmas Eve PJs, 25 Days of Christmas books, and new Christmas morning traditions.   I can't wait to spoil our little one, and I definitely can't wait to make their Christmases as awesome as mine were growing up!