Christmas 2010

Marthe asked if it was normal to put fruit on trees. Haha, I don't know if it's normal, but it's what we have had on our tree the last few years. I had fun making the garland out of fruit, nuts, pinecones, and fabric. We used to have a tree with all the fun ornaments when we were younger, but it has evolved into more of an elegant tree.

One of the traditions I want for my own tree is to have my kids get a new ornament each year. That was one of the funnest parts about decorating the tree, being able to put up your own ornaments. After 3 years, I have a small collection going. I also love getting ornaments from our vactions.

Our stockings look a little sad this year. We forgot Ian's was at our house, so we didn't bring it up. We had to improvise with an extra. Mine, Jordan's, Mom, and Dad's all match, except mine is the only one pictured. I love that Kaylee still has the Baby's First Christmas stocking.

Eventually I want to learn how to sew and make my family a matching set of stockings. It's something I've wanted to do the past couple years. Maybe I'll actually do it this year... Here are some ideas I think are super cute!

Marthe made Dad a shirt. I don't know the whole story behind it, but it was very funny!

Ian spoiled me and got me the Acqua di Gioa perfume I really really wanted. It was definately my favorite gift. I found this scent in a magazine and absolutely love it.

I want to start the tradition of taking a family picture by the tree each year.

We had so much fun doing Christmas fondue. Potato chips were actually pretty good in chocolate. I've heard bacon is fun to dip also. It was definately different, but ok. We might have to try it again! The dipped cinnamon bears were my favorite.

It was a great Christmas!!

Last Minute Projects

I definately put everything Christmas off this year. I Got our Christmas cards sent out right before it was too late. They took forever to make because I sent so many, but I had fun making them.

I got the idea from splitcoasterstampers.com. I love that website!

I had the other idea of making coasters for my Mom. That was alot of fun! I think they turned out really nice. Me and the hardware store have now become friends. (Once I found someone to help me find what I was looking for...)


I love my new medallion stamp! My next project is going to be stamping on candles :)

Traditions

I love traditions. Especially our Christmas traditions. I thought would be fun to list a few of the things we do year after year.

Christmas 2009

Missing Jordan and Grandpa

Christmas Eve:

For dinner we have clam chowder in bread bowls. In the last few years we have added fondue to our dinner. It's been cheese fondue in the past, but this year we are having chocolate. I recently got a fondue pot and can't wait to use it! I have all sorts of fun things to dip in chocolate.

I rearrange the presents under the tree and make it look nice for Christmas morning.

Dad reads the Christmas story out of the Bible.

We open our Christmas Eve present.

All of us kids sleep in the same room. It's funny that we still do the same things we did when we were little. I'm sure it will change when we have kids of our own, but for now, we do what we have always done.

Christmas Day:

Once everyone is awake, we see what we got in our stockings and open our "Santa" gift. Then we usually have breakfast. Every year we have grapefruit and pigs in a blanket. I'm not a huge fan of grapefruit, but I eat it Christmas morning because that's just what we do.

Then we continue opening presents. Everyone goes around the circle and we open them one at a time. Yes, it takes hours, but it's fun to see what everyone gets.

Christmas dinner is ham, Christmas potatoes (a version of funeral potatoes), Grandma's shrimp salad, Grandma's broccoli casserole, veggie tray, and rolls. The menu is the same every year and I love it!

Other:

We always have a real tree. Every year we usually go up to the cabin and cut down our tree. It's always an adventure. Whether we got a late start in the day and it's dark when we are cutting the tree, or there isn't enough snow for snowmobiles so 7 of us pile on the 4 wheeler, or there is too much snow and we sink to our thighs trying to find the perfect tree. I have so many great memories of getting Christmas trees. The last couple years we haven't been able to go to the forest to cut down our tree, but it's never been fake.

Watching Christmas Vacation is a must. It hits way to close to home :)

My favorite of Mom's Christmas decorations is the Christmas village. I love that I have painted some of the houses in the village. I also love that Mom has had the same Christmas decorations my whole life.

I don't do well with change. I love our traditions. I'm sure we will keep many of the ones I grew up with, but I can't wait to start some of our own with our family.

$13.75!

We got free movie tickets from our dentist for referring my dad to him. Apparently it's been a while since we have been to the movies. I bet we have gone to a total of 3 while we have been married. And 2 of them were on our honeymoon!

I was thinking we would splurge and get the refillable large drink and popcorn, estimating it to be around $8.00. Oh no... since when does Edwards charge $13.75 for a large drink and popcorn, and you only get 1 refill?? I was a bit shocked. Oh well, atleast we had the free tickets! We saw Love and Other Drugs and loved it. Probably because it reminded us of our relationship way too much :)

Poor Ian, apparently he used to be quite the movie buff until I came along. It's now my goal to go to move movies. It was a very fun date night!