This year we did something different for Christmas--we celebrated it the weekend before so that everyone could be here at the same time! It was so much fun that perhaps it will become a new family tradition!
Our son and his family arrived late on Thursday, so we had all Friday to be with them. Then late Friday afternoon our daughter and her family arrived--just in time for a nice "Christmas Eve dinner". I wish I had thought to take photos then.
The next morning before opening gifts, Tom took Haiden out to buy donuts for breakfast. This is a tradition that Tom's father started with our children (and it's the only time of the year that we buy donuts). We decided that Garrett was too young to understand what was happening, so Tom took just Haiden.
Our son and his family arrived late on Thursday, so we had all Friday to be with them. Then late Friday afternoon our daughter and her family arrived--just in time for a nice "Christmas Eve dinner". I wish I had thought to take photos then.
The next morning before opening gifts, Tom took Haiden out to buy donuts for breakfast. This is a tradition that Tom's father started with our children (and it's the only time of the year that we buy donuts). We decided that Garrett was too young to understand what was happening, so Tom took just Haiden.
Then, after trying to get the boys to eat a little something, it was nearly time to open gifts. Here is Haiden waiting for everyone.
Hurry up, Papa!
A good time was had by all!
After lunch it was off to Entertrainment Junction for more family fun! First we looked at the wonderful train displays....
and then there was time to play...
And then, all too soon, it was time for everyone to leave, so it was just Tom and me! Sunday was busy with church in the morning and our church's annual Festival of Lessons and Carols in the evening. On Monday we had a quiet day at home (I stitched a lot on Ann Hair), and then after dinner it was off to church for our beautiful Christmas Eve service. Then it was Christmas Day! Now that it is just the two of us, we have started eating Christmas breakfast in the dining room by candle light; we light the Advent wreath one final time. (Yes, I know it is no longer Advent, but we do it anyway.) Then we opened gifts and called relatives.
I decided that I didn't want to cook another Christmas dinner since we had just done that on Friday, but I didn't want to have leftovers on Christmas Day either, so we went out to dinner at our favorite French restaurant. This may become a new tradition. Perhaps some of you are going through the same thing of making new traditions as your family situation changes.
And then yesterday we had a snowy day--it was so gorgeous! I love stitching in front of the fireplace while I watch the snow fall. Last year we got virtually no snow here in southern Ohio, and even though I'm a Florida-native I sure missed it.
After lunch it was off to Entertrainment Junction for more family fun! First we looked at the wonderful train displays....
and then there was time to play...
And then, all too soon, it was time for everyone to leave, so it was just Tom and me! Sunday was busy with church in the morning and our church's annual Festival of Lessons and Carols in the evening. On Monday we had a quiet day at home (I stitched a lot on Ann Hair), and then after dinner it was off to church for our beautiful Christmas Eve service. Then it was Christmas Day! Now that it is just the two of us, we have started eating Christmas breakfast in the dining room by candle light; we light the Advent wreath one final time. (Yes, I know it is no longer Advent, but we do it anyway.) Then we opened gifts and called relatives.
I decided that I didn't want to cook another Christmas dinner since we had just done that on Friday, but I didn't want to have leftovers on Christmas Day either, so we went out to dinner at our favorite French restaurant. This may become a new tradition. Perhaps some of you are going through the same thing of making new traditions as your family situation changes.
And then yesterday we had a snowy day--it was so gorgeous! I love stitching in front of the fireplace while I watch the snow fall. Last year we got virtually no snow here in southern Ohio, and even though I'm a Florida-native I sure missed it.
9 comments:
Looks like the new way of celebrating Christmas worked out perfectly! So wonderful to have all the families together! Love seeing everyone so happy and Christmas-y! And going to a French restaurant for Christmas -- sounds lovely to me!
Sounds like you had made some great new traditions!
The pics of the kids are too cute.
Happy New Year to you Ellen.
Marilyn
Oh Ellen, what a wonderful new Christmas idea, I love it! I too would rather have Christmas with my kids a a few days early, than without them on Christmas. I also love your French restaurant idea too, what a wonderful way to enjoy Christmas day. You and Tom are so blessed to have each other.
Your kiddos are all beautiful, both big and small...those grandsons are gorgeous!
Sending you thoughts for a wonderful New year to you, Tom and your entire family.
Hugs kiddo
Ma
ah the joys of kids at Christmas. And what i wouldnt give for one of those Dunkin Donut Coconut cake donuts!
We too had Christmas a week early for some of our family. It worked so weel we are thinking of doing it again next year.
Merry Christmas Ellen,
yes, we certainly need to develop new celebrations when our children grow and develop their own traditions.
Happy New Year.
I think you've started a new family Christmas tradition. It all sounded lovely.
What a wonderful family Christmas!I all sounds like you had a great time. The boys are so cute!
Sounds like you had a great Christmas Ellen. I'm glad you got out for a meal instead of cooking again - that's what mom and I did - spent the whole dang day in the kitchen and was I beat ! I don't believe I took a stitch all day long. Sitting by the fire stitching and watching snow fall sounds like the best gift of all. Hope you enjoy your anniversary and have a very blessed and happy new year - Hugs mel
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