Christmas Family Traditions...It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Today, I am missing this big ol' family of mine dearly. We've gotten older and started our own families, and even though I won't be seeing you on Christmas day this year I want you to know you will all be in my heart!

My family is the reason I love Christmas so much. Some of my warmest memories of Christmas include caroling with friends and neighbors, and coming home to chili and wassail!

I remember going up to the mountains, riding in the truck with the chainsaw in the back, and cutting down our own Christmas tree. I miss the smell of a real Christmas tree. I miss our Christmas tree with all those old, mismatched ornaments and cheesy childhood photos. Decorating the Christmas tree is always a special part of Christmas for me. The best part is turning off the lights, and sitting down to admire the finished product. For me, a finished tree is beautiful because I reminds me of all the wonderful Christmas's I have spent with my wonderfully imperfect family whom I love so much.

To this day, I still feel like it is a sin if I fail to watch White Christmas before the season is over!

Poor mom and dad, getting up at 4 or 5 am to open presents!

I remember the Christmas we moved into our house in Fillmore, getting door knobs for presents and making pancakes in an unfinished kitchen. I remember the year that we did a homemade Christmas, and dad taught me how to use the wood lathe to make some of my presents. That was also the year Kelsha made me a huge blanket for Christmas. One of the best memories, is of the marshmallow gun wars on Christmas morning!

I remember going out to Grandma' Kelley's house for Christmas, and sitting by the wood stove or in the old rocking chair.

I remember all of mom's Santa Claus's decorating the house. Stockings aren't complete without an orange in the toe, and every year we read in Luke the story of of Christ's birth to help us remember why we truly celebrate Christmas.

As Garrett and I continue to build traditions for our own family, I will always keep these memories close. Thank you to my family, for all of the Christmas memories. I hope that I can continue the tradition of making Christmas a special time of love and joy for my children too. Love you all, and have a Merry Christmas!

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

                              -Luke 1: 31-33