3 Christmas Traditions:

1. We get our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving at a Christmas tree farm not far from here. One of the delights is seeing a St. Bernard who belongs to the owners as well as petting lots of other dogs who come with their families. Maybe next year we will have our own dog to bring.

2. My mom has given us an ornament every year since I can remember, as did her mother when she was still alive. When Paul and I were married I had quite a lot of beautiful ornaments. Since Mom has continued the tradition with all of us we have a very full tree – getting all the ornaments on is a big and enjoyable job.

3. Usually we take a picture of the kids to send out as our card. This year I really wanted to get a picture of the whole family, but it hasn’t happened yet and I think I am going to ditch cards this year. In thirteen years of marriage this will be the third year I haven’t sent cards. The first was a month after Christopher’s surgery. The second was two years ago after we moved and I chose to not send them. It felt really good to actively choose it. Doing the cards is a pleasure for me and is was becoming a “have to”. This year I am ditching the picture and instead I think I might buy some cards and send notes back in response to all the cards we receive, taking time at night after the kids are in bed.