Random Christmas Hoopla!!

OK, sorry it took so long. Been crazy around here.

12 things ok here we go.

1. Christmas Eve Lovefeast at Church and the party afterwards at Marks' Moms house. Tradition

2. Santa always left our gifts unwrapped too. We unwrapped so much on Christmas Eve when I was little I don't think my Mom could have cleaned up another round of wrapping paper if Santa wrapped his. There was always some little cool something in our stockings. I am the youngest of three.

3. We still get together at Moms' on Christmas Day. Me and my family and my sister and brother and their families.

4. Mom is a wonderful cook so I always look forward to eating at Moms. She always has BBQ. I know you would think I would be tired of it living here. BBQ at Moms' is not like what we have here. It is more a tomato base.

5. Ok this one may be bad. When Jack was little it was so nice to be able to sleep til 9am on Christmas morning because he was in his crib. There was no possibility of him getting up early and catching Santa.

6. The Church I grew up in was Baptist and we had a live Nativity.My family supplied a horse. I was one of the angels.

7. I always love to see the Christmas decorations around town. Mark and I have always gone on little road trips to check out everybodys' decorations. If you are ever down in Lexington around Christmas one of the houses that is behind Hayes Jewelers has the most beautiful decorations. If you roll your windows down they also are playing Christmas music. The entire house is done up with dolls. There are spot lights and lights inside and some of the dolls move.
It really is cool.

8. We have our first Moravian Star this year. I am so excited I have always wanted one but never really had a place for it. They are so pretty.

9. We have a Christmas pickle too. If you don't know the pickle tradition here it is. It began in Germany. The pickle is a symbol of good luck. It was the last ornament placed on the tree. The first child to find the pickle on Christmas morning was rewarded with an extra gift from St. Nicholas. This tradition is supposed to make the children appreciate all the ornaments on the tree and not just rush to see what Santa brought them. We have the pickle but we have not started the gift thing yet. I don't think my kids are ready. I fear my tree would be in a pile in the middle of the floor.

10. I love watching my kids faces light up when they see what Santa has brought them. They are so funny sometimes.

11. We go every year to Tanglewood to see the lights. Sometimes we pick up food and eat along the way and other times we go somewhere nice to eat and then go while our food is settling.

12. My mother told me a story about one Christmas way before I was born. She had stashed Santa in my Sisters' closet. So they waited till she fell fast asleep and then they had to go in her room and in the closet to get Santa out. Well, while they were getting things out my sister started stirring. My Mom locked my Dad in the closet and left him there for several hours. He was all hunched over and crammed in this little space. My Mom said she wanted to make sure my sister was asleep before she went back for him. Every time I think of that I just laugh. I am sure it has happened to many Moms and Dads.

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I bake a lot around this time too. I love giving gifts. Especially those not expected.