Christmas Traditions

We had a lesson in Relief Society(woman's group at church) all on traditions. One of our family Christmas traditions is to get together with the Leffues(my moms side) on Christmas Eve. We have Mexican food, lots of yummy treats, the kiddos put on the Nativity, Santa comes for a visit & then while the kiddos are playing with the toy they got from the big guy. The adults play the white elephant game, it's always a lot of fun! Oh and I can't forget the family pictures, even if it's crazy trying to do I'm so happy that part happens. It's always fun to see family and catch up!

Another tradition that my mom started a few years ago. At the beginning of December she has a big sleepover for all the grandkids. Christmas Jammie's, gingerbread houses, Christmas movies & lots goodies & fun! Some years they have visited the temple lights or helped decorate her tree. They love it & look forward to it every year. My kiddos are blessed to have so many wonderful people in their lives that love them so much!!!

Back row: Tatum, Kennedi, Carys, Landon and Kelsey

Front row: Cody, Sydney, Madison, Carter and Zachary

Thanksgiving

How do you do Thanksgiving dinner?
We switch off every year between my dad's family usually at my Aunt Kim & Uncle David's house and my mom's family. This year we are going to my Aunt Cheryl & Uncle Tom's house. With my mom's family we try to do a big group family photo (our hubby's love this part! hee hee!!) We eat outside & the kiddos play, the guys watch tv & nap and the girls chat. This year we will be planning our BIG shopping day!

Where do you go for thanksgiving? stay home? in-laws? travel? I pretty much answered this one all ready. Mike's family is in Utah & Alaska so we have always just stayed in town. We would love to go to Utah one of these years. Alaska would be fun too! I'm such a baby I would probably be so home sick!!

If you bring something what do you bring?
I bring something different every year.

What "makes" thanksgiving dinner for you?
Mashed potatoes, yummy homemade rolls & being with family.

What grosses you out?
I hate cranberry sauce and I'm not a huge fan of stuffing.

Gravy preference? brown? turkey? Homemade?
I love my Grandma Daley's chicken gravy soooo yummy with lots of pepper!

Mashed Potatoes? from scratch? or instant?
Homemade mashed potatoes with salt, pepper & a little bit of butter.
I love my Grandma Daley's potatoes too!

Do you actually eat Yams?
I'm like a kid I always said I didn't like yams but I couldn't ever really remember actually trying them. It was after Mike & I were married that I ate them I loved them. I don't like them with marshmallows. Butter, brown sugar & cinnamon-YUM!

What about cranberries?
The thought could make me gag!

Pie? What is a "must have" at every Thanksgiving dessert table?
I love apple pie warm with a little vanilla ice cream. I don't like pumpkin or pecan. When Mike makes pecan pie I try but I ended up just eating the crust. Oh, I love the french silk too!

Pies? From scratch? Or store bought?
I love homemade but I don't mind store bought.

Whipped cream? From scratch ? Cool whip? Or from a can?
Nothing!
I stole this from Crazymama thought it would be fun!
I would love to hear what you love about Thanksgiving, please share!

Memory Lane Monday!

Well my memory this week is about the first Christmas after my first husband Garrett passed away. Cody and I moved in with my parents & Bridget had just moved back home a few months before.Paige was the only one married now so we all wanted Rex, Paige & Tatum to stay for Christmas! And, that is what we did and it sure was fun!!!
Christmas Eve we always go to my Grandparents house & play games, sing songs & of course eat! After the party we hung out as a family then put the little ones(only two back then WOW!) to sleep. We all stayed up so late putting things together, wrapping gifts that in a matter of hours would be ripped apart & thrown away!
In the morning I think we all slept in except for Cody. Rex had bought Paige a chair for cutting hair & had bought Cody a motorized quad for kids. Well they were both sitting out. When Cody saw them he got so excited but he didn't run to the quad he ran & jumped right on the chair so sweet! Rex is a very thoughtful & sweet brother-in-law & just thinking about what he did for Cody makes me want to cry! And, the sad thing is I don't think I ever told him. Rex your awesome! We then enjoyed a yummy big breakfast. Now in our family we always try to start out all watching one person open a gift. But, we seem to get distracted easily & before you know it we are all at it opening gifts left & right! When we are all done we have a war with silly string so much fun!!! After all the fun we of course clean up! What a fun Christmas to remember. We continued to keep that up until our family got just a tad too big! I don't think I have any pictures of that Christmas on my computer but if I find some I will add them.