Traditions

I've been thinking a lot about Christmas traditions in the past few weeks. In the 9 Christmas's we've celebrated together things seem to change every year. We spent our first Christmas with me working until late and then we went to Stuart's parents house pretty much to listen to the Christmas story by candle light. Every year after we haven't really had a set way of doing things. Stuart LOVES eating tamales for Christmas Eve dinner, reading the Christmas story by candle light and waiting until Christmas morning to open ANY presents.

I am all about having a big Christmas Eve dinner, going to look at Christmas lights then opening presents and after all the excitement reading the Christmas story (growing up it wasn't by candle light).

We have sort of tried to incorporate our traditions together. We've always, no matter where we've been read the Christmas story by candle light. I really do love this tradition. Somehow it makes it just that much better. As for presents, we've done it both ways. Food, well...we've had tamales on Christmas Eve. Last year my parents even brought up tamales for Stuart while the rest of us ate turkey. And, we've tried to go look at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve as well.

This year again things are changing. I am having surgery on the 22nd on my wrist. They are doing both a carpal tunnel release and removing a "mass"...they aren't sure what it is. So, I'm probably not going to be up for a whole lot. After my surgery we have to go down to my parents as Phillip & Maija have dentist appointments in Ft. Collins...no one around here takes kids under 5. So, on the 22nd Stuart and my mom are going to take the kids to look at Christmas lights (not many people in Rawlins decorate...so sad!).

Stuart is cooking Christmas Eve dinner and we are having some friends over. After that we'll be opening presents and then of course our favorite part....reading the Christmas story by candle light! Then off to bed to await Santa's arrival. On Christmas morning we are getting everyone up early to open Santa presents and then at about 7:30 ish we are going to drive to Idaho Falls in order to make it for Christmas dinner.

I like the traditions that we have, but what I love even more about Christmas is spending time with our family and friends!

What are your traditions? Do you keep the same ones every year?