We are fully embracing our tradition starting side this year! As the boys get older it's fun to watch them start to remember and reflect on the holiday season, meaning, and our traditions! I am proud of Eric and myself for putting forth the creative energy to keep going and growing in this effort to establish an environment and atmosphere of togetherness and fun for our little family!
This year we followed through with our now established Thanksgiving weekend. Eat ourselves full on Turkey Day, which by the way my dad's brined bird rocked the house this year!!! Get up super early next morning to head out in the cold for the Macy's Holiday Parade which brings in Santa on his sleigh for Christmas. Followed by a fun breakfast out, a good family nap, and warm, strong cup of local joe! Then off to our favorite tree farm: Christmas Creek for tree cutting, cider, and a visit with THE Santa! We've gone here for four years now, ever since Jake was a baby! THE Santa has remained the same with the rosiest disposition!!! It's like we know him! And since this jolly old man hangs out in the tree farm's snack shack, we get the luxury of hanging out by the fire with warm cider as long as we'd like sans charge! It's awesome!! We all leave there full of the spirit! After that, we head home, put 'er up and take a deep breath! The next day is lights and decorations with holiday treats!
As soon as the house was decorated the baking began!!! The boys made some lovely frosted sugar cookies! They are going quickly besides the whole Crisco in the fridge incident. We'll talk about that later! I made my take on raspberry almond thumbprints (my fav) and Judy's molasses cookies. I am just gonna say...... Baking doesn't come naturally to me! Maybe I need a better oven, one from a decade beyond the seventies, with convection! Or maybe I just need try brittle or something! Hopefully, I'll make up for it with Christmas dinner! Since then, we've been watching out for elves since the first snowfall, listening to holiday music, watching holiday shows, smelling my fav holiday potpourri boiling on the stove, enjoying holiday events, and trying hard to carry the spirit in our hearts!!! We hope to continue our "Snow No Matter What on Christmas Eve" Tradition by heading up to the mountains to play in the snow! This year we've recruited some friends to join us! Should be fun! Then we'll head back home to a nice fire, family, food, laughter, and tears as we embrace the true meaning of Christmas!
Thanks to all our family and friends for all the love, cards, gifts, memories, and spirit sent OUR way! It has helped us feel the magic of the season!!! We hope you feel the same! As always, we are sad to be so far from so many family members and close friends and wish we could share a song or cookie with you but know you are in our hearts! We love you so very much! Happy Holidays from us West Coast Bellers to YOU!!!
