It's Just Tradition

Has is really been this long?  I am amazed and words can't express right now how odd it is that I haven't even thought to write anything down.  Christmas time around here is a whirl wind.  But, in a good way.  A total good way, I love this time of the year,  Because while some people may get overwhelmed or feel like both ends of their candle is melting away.  I squeal in delight each day going from one tradition to the next.   We have Christmas down to a science, for lack of a better word.

And even though we tend to do the same things over and over, year after year.  There is this feel of comfort and newness.  Like we make ornaments every single year, but each year the ornaments change, the ideas evolve on how to make them and who they are being made for. 


 One of our traditions each year is to make a Christmas chain to count down the days till the BIG DAY!  And every link has a craft or family activity to do.  It can be as simple as taking a walk together before dinner or a game night.  One of the kid's favorites is sleeping under the tree.  They love that and they love making the ornaments and kids get to cook night!!  Hey, I like that one too!!!!  This year we also did a dessert for breakfast day.  Nobody complained that morning!  HAHAHA

 We decorated pin-cones this year, which was something that we had not done in a few years.  So, it was nice to add something new.  Skylar made the Rudolf pine-cone!

 And of course we do gingerbread house each year.  And every year they come up with new designs and challenge to put upon each other.  The time we spend as a family together, working and playing I feel is the glue that bonds us together.  And the Holidays is a perfect time to set the tone for the beginning of the new year to come.
Even though the baking, wrapping, decorating and craft planning is a lot to do.  If you go into without the expectation of perfection you will appreciate what a gift the Holidays can be to your Family.  Yes, I love things to be done right and the ornaments hung just so.  But, I would rather see a tree with no ornaments on it's left side in order to hear the laughter of my kids reminiscing over their homemade ornaments any day!!!
It makes my Life worth it!