christmas card '09

tradition

I love Christmas time. Spending time with family and friends. I especially love the traditions that come with the Christmas season. One of my favorite traditions that my family has is one that started with my Great Grandma Leola and her family. She had four young children when her husband passed away, leaving her to provide for all of them. Money was always tight which meant very small and humble Christmases. Instead of everyone getting gifts for each other, they made it a game to see who could be the first to wish the others a Merry Christmas, or as they would say, "Christmas Gift." It didn't end with just Christmas. We now have

Christmas Eve Gift,
Christmas Gift,
New Years Eve Gift,
&
New Years Gift.

I love hearing the story of my Grandma's Uncle coming over to their house to "get" everyone. They would hear him coming down the road and all the kids would hide so that he wouldn't be able to find them and get them.

This is a tradition that we have continued all through the years. If you call any of my Grandma's siblings and their families today, they will still answer their phones "Christmas Eve Gift"

So from our family to yours...
"Christmas Eve Gift!"

ryder baby

We finally got our pictures back. Lets just say that after bending/breaking my first disk, the Mail Man is on the Naughty List . Then our photographer had her baby and it took her awhile to get a replacement in the mail. It's no surprise that I was so excited to get these! They were well worth the wait. I know I'm a little biased, but I think Ryder is the cutest baby ever!