Christmas Eve is my favorite day of the year. Christmas Day is a very close second but Christmas Eve seems to be my favorite year after year. As a child, Christmas Eve was spent at my Nannie Helen's house with my Dad's family. Chicken pie, tea cakes, and Christmas candies were always plentiful. All of my family members were there and we had a very traditional Christmas. My grandmother's small tree and an old centerpiece served as decoration. We followed up our family time with the Christmas Eve service at my church. Although my grandmother and my Aunt are no longer with us, Christmas Eve is still very similar to the memories I cherish. We now hold the celebration at my parents house, have added 6 great-grandchildren with one more on the way, eat off of Christmas china, drink from crystal, and are surrounded by elaborate decorations; however, the tradition continues. We still eat Chicken pie, which I prepare with my dad on Christmas Eve, have tea cakes and peanut butter candy and we all gather together at the Christmas Eve service. Chad and I spend the day driving to and from East Bend to celebrate Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas morning with his family but as far as I'm concerned, it is worth the extra travel time. How often can you eat homemade chicken pie, made in the same pans your Grandma used on Christmas Eve? As Payton gets older, this tradition may have to change. It will not be a decision that is made lightly! Even with the chaos of 6 kids together....it is so fun!
To: Grandpa From: Payton
Grandpa loved his new tacky Christmas tie! Payton will love seeing it next year!
Mommy's boys....dressed and ready for Santa!
Payton in front of Grandma's BEAUTIFUL Christmas tree.
All the stockings are hung by the chimney with care.....
Payton got the biggest one!
Payton tries to squeeze in and play with his older cousins. He was too little to get in trouble this year....next year we better be ready! I just hope he can hold his own! He'll be the smallest of 4 big boys!
Payton tries to get in on the action.
Moses and Rachel show Payton how his new "Horse"-in-the-box works.
Connor, Payton and Noah - just before we spotted Santa and his reindeer!
Dressed and ready for bed - complete with a reindeer on his butt - Payton tells Grandpa goodbye before we head back to East Bend. We hope Santa knows where to find Payton! Mt. Pleasant, East Bend, or Sherrills Ford...so many choices!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
1 comment:
march252008Grandma, Was so happy to have time with all of you. The joy a Christmas time means so very much to me and your Dad. We love the traditional christmas' we have celebrated for years and so happy it has blended so well with Chad and his family. You are truly blessed to have such loving care family around you. Payton was precious for his first christmas and was such a sweet little fellow with all the travelling, different house, churches, peoples etc. He is a little prince. Love all of you very very much and thanks for all you did to make our christmas as special for us as you could. Love, hugs and many kisses to all of you, Jessica, Chad, Payton and Bailey.
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