Favorite Christmas Traditions

Here is Joel by the tree during our annual decorating extravaganza. I am not much of a decorator, so this is the big day of the year! I especially love the home-made ornaments and the special ornaments that Ken buys each family member every year. The kids love figuring out (using the dates) which ornament was for which person. (the theme often gives it away... who do you think received the Harry Potter ornament last year?)

Here are the kids standing by their Christmas stockings. I still need to make Anna a stocking sewn just for her, but this year she will probably use one that was sewn for the family in general! Joel's stocking was sewn after Carolyn's and Matthew's. It has tiny little blocks, and it was sewn when I was pregnant with him. Very fond memories! The kids are holding some of their special ornaments.

About 10 years ago, my sister M. started giving her God children a piece to a Nativity scene each year. Of course we loved the idea (best one ever!) and several of us adopted it for our God children. This year my God-daughter E. will start to receive the camels for her scene. Below are Joel's figures, bought for him each year by his Aunt C. (The creche is actually Carolyn's, but we didn't figure that out until Joel had everything set up.)

Here is the one that started it all! A forever treasure for Matthew.

Carolyn's figures are a bit different, more girlie. Carolyn's GodFather Uncle P. (well, his personal shopper Aunt C. from above) gives her the same set they are buying for their daughters. Note it's placement on the shelf up high.....you can guess why, if not her name is Anna. (Actually Joel and his occasional ball in the house is another reason.)

Anna doesn't have a set started, but when she is old enough to understand it, we will start to give her pieces.