Christmas Traditions

Some of our Christmas traditions:

The Christmas Card

If you didn’t get one, it’s because we don’t like you anymore. Kidding! I already complained about making them, so I’ll spare you the whining anew. Consider this your Christmas card.

The Family Photo

If we didn’t do this at Christmas, who knows how many years would go by without a picture of the whole family? As it is, this is the ONLY group photo from 2006. Seriously.

Baby’s First Christmas Photo Shoot

A bunch more are on Flickr. I had a hard time deciding which one to post here. Check ‘em out.

The Sugar Cookie Party

Here’s the array of decorated cookies:

Graham’s technique wasn’t so much about the decorating and putting them on the tray. He would decorate one, then eat it:

We did manage to get him to wear clothes yesterday to go outside and play, but upon coming back inside he became Mr. Incredible again. Note the icing all down his top. He was really into this.

So much so, that his little tummy decided to send back the massive intake of cookies. Hence the new jammies, and a sleepy boy on the couch:

The Alumni Basketball Tournament

Matthew graduated from high school here, and every Christmas they have a tournament where all of the graduated players play against each other and the current team. I have no pictures, because Nathan lost interest after, oh, about 5 minutes. I brought him and Emily home and Graham stayed with Grandpa D to cheer Daddy on.

Christmas Eve

We let the kids open one present, and it’s a new pair of jammies (because they obviously don’t have enough pairs). We go to Christmas Eve service at our church. It’s a beautiful service, with candles and Christmas Carols. After we come home and the kids are in bed, Matthew and I exchange presents. We have a nice time together, and then Christmas morning is about the kids.

Christmas Day

I make cinnamon buns for breakfast. I usually do the Land of Nod buns, but I’ve heard so much about Amanda’s cinnamon buns that I may give them a go this year.

We open presents here, and then head over to Matthew’s parents’ house. There are even more presents, and then food as far as the eye can see. Matthew’s brother and sister are there with their respective spouses and munchkins, and good times are had by all. There will be six grandkids there, and Graham’s the oldest. Remember what I said yesterday about the volume? I’ll try to remember to bring earplugs.

It’s really quiet here right now, and I’m enjoying the calm before the storm, as it were. Merry Christmas everyone!