We celebrated a belated Christmas at Mom's this year. And my family was quite kind enough to wait until we arrived to open their gifts...so we got to see everyone's Christmas...which is super fun!
I tried to get some good pictures, but the four of us were sitting on the couch together...so the girls' shots are really up close...and nearly every picture of David completely washed him out. I think there were two of me (when I actually handed over the camera)...but I digress.
Now, I don't know about you, but we have a number of Christmas traditions in our family. And most are not necessarily traditions that we have set on purpose. They are just ones that always seem to happen with any Christmas. As I was uploading the pictures, I saw some of our traditions come to life in the photos.
Tradition #1: Stockings
Now I know that this is a common one. But I've found that what goes in stockings varies from family to family. Some families put fruit and nuts in their stockings. Some put lots of little fun toys. And some put necessities.
Yeah...that's us. All about the necessities. The girls find toothbrushes, band-aids, hair clips, pens, etc. in their stocking.
David and I find hot tea, Q-tips, toothpaste, lint brush, and deodorant in ours
And we usually get a sweet treat or two in there as well!
Tradition #2: Practical gifts
Yes, this is a tradition with us. David was frustrated by my penchant for practical gifts when we were first married, but now he's grown to embrace it. Of course we want our dream gifts as well...but there's something really satisfying about knowing that you have just what you need.
The girls have really been wanting some house shoes!
And what could be more practical than a gas gift card for Jason?
Judi even got a new faucet for her sink!
I guess Judi and Jack were thinking along the same lines...as Jack got a gas card as well!
And then there's the clothes.
Tradition #3: Fun with bows
My family has been doing this as long as I can remember. There are tons of pictures of me, from the time I was a wee little baby, with a bow on my head while we opened presents.
Glad to see the tradition hasn't died with the next generation.
Tradition #4: Fun ways to gift wrap money
Aunt Judi always gives some Christmas money and she always finds the neatest ways to present it.
Sometimes it's in a little box as one bill.
Sometimes it's a little bag of gold $1 coins. Sometimes it's all in $2 bills. Sometimes it's all in $1 bills crumpled up like stuffing, wrapped around a fun Christmas tree ornament. Sometimes it's stapled together in a long chain. You just never know with Aunt Judi!!
Tradition #5: Looking forward to getting the "little box" as a gift...
...because that means you've got a big present hiding in another room!
And as we continued to unwrap our presents...
...among the crafts for the kids...
...and fun movies...
...the last of our Christmas traditions emerges...
Tradition #6: A theme
Every year, without fail, a theme runs through the Christmas gifts. Someone finds something that they are sure everyone will enjoy.
One year it was egg cookers. Another year it was a Helpful Hints booklet. Another year was photobooks.
This year, the theme was monogrammed bags, with Jack being the main themester. Grandma got a black bag with a "W" monogrammed on it from Judi.
Uncle Jack gave the girls each an insulated bag with their names embroidered on them.
I got one with my name on it as well, that matches the girls...only bigger.
Mom got one from Jack with her last name on it.
And without knowing that we'd be continuing the theme, we got Jack a computer bag!
Absolutely perfect!
After our belated Christmas celebration, we settled in for a belated Christmas dinner.
I wanted to get a shot of the family...but apparently Bekah thought this would be the proper time to make a silly face.
Take 2: Lydia joins in the fun.
Take 3: Everyone's cooperating finally - but I catch David telling Lydia to cooperate! Ha ha!
Oh well! Merry Christmas!
