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Swiss Cowbell and Vancouver Keychain
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I love Christmas traditions. A few years ago at my parents house I wrote a whole bunch of stories, movies, and activities on a December calendar. I've lightened up about some of it, and now make a calendar as a general guide, to help us remember some of the activities we like to do throughout the month to bring the feeling of Christmas. Included are movies such as "White Christmas," "Nora's Christmas Gift," "It's a Wonderful Life," "Mr. Krueger's Christmas," and Zak's favorite, "The Muppet Christmas Carol." I love to read stories, and this year made a recording of The Gift of the Magi, and then read Christmas Jars, which Mom Porter gave me last year. I baked several gingerbread houses using the family cast iron mold, but Zak and I were a little tired by the time it came to making our own. I have several nativity sets, and put them around the house. Husband discovered a love of burning scented candles (carefully), and we put up our little tree with ornaments collected from our travels and lives. To add a personal touch to some gifts to co-workers and others, I crocheted snowflake ornaments, which I then ironed and painted with glitter paint. They have a lot of room for improvement, but I enjoy the process and seeing the final outcome. I do love this time of year. May you spend time with family, and have a Merry Christmas and Happy 2013!
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| Moveable wooden man from Liechtenstein |
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Mickey Mouse hat from Sister's travels to
Disney World, Bear family given by a
wonderful family I met on my mission
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| Wooden Stars made by Dad Porter |
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| Bunny in our backyard! |
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| Before iron and paint |
Zak and I began our Christmas journey after I took my accrued PTO, and we drove to the Porters. It's so relaxing there, just talking, watching movies, and playing games. Our schedules didn't quite align with one of the siblings and spouse, so we made a plan to visit before they moved on to the next location. Niki took me out for some last-week shopping, and we grabbed everything we needed.
We played killer bunnies, phase 10, and other games while my parents went to the 11:00 P.M. organ concert. As Zak and I don't have any kids, we're still in the role of kids on Christmas morning. We got to bed around 1:00 A.M., with the agreement that siblings would awaken us to sort and organize the presents around 5:00 or later. Mom and Dad don't arise until 7:00 A.M., so I stuck Mom's prepared breakfast meal in the oven and then went to sleep until it was time. We take turns opening presents one-at-a-time, starting with the youngest and circling around our family of ten throughout the morning. We are so spoiled.
