Like most families, our family has traditions that we do each year that help contribute to our family identity and closeness. Many of the traditions we do came from my parents. My mom always placed an emphasis on having and celebrating those family traditions and for that I am grateful because we now do many of the same ones and I hope that as Caroline and Jack get older and have their own family they will hold onto those that are most dear to them and celebrate them with their own families one day.
James and Caroline's favorite tradition is one I always have held dear and that is reading the story of Christ's birth out of the passage in Luke 2. We also then spend some time in prayer before we open presents. This year we changed it up a bit and decided to do it upstairs before coming downstairs to see what Santa brought. (makes it a little easier to concentrate without having a pile of presents to stare at).
Jack's favorite tradition is decorating the Christmas tree while we sing Christmas Carols. As I posted earlier I love my tree. It isn't the prettiest or the best matching but each ornament is special and cherished. I received five new ones this year and each are already special and I am thankful to each of the people who gave them to me.
My favorite tradition is getting dressed up on Christmas Eve and going to church. I love to sing all the beautiful carols and songs and hear again about the King of Kings leaving Paradise to come to earth so I might have eternal life. (of course, getting new clothes for the occasion is pretty fun too!) After Christmas Eve we've started a new tradition we eat ~Tortellini Soup. This is the second year in a row we have done it so I guess that makes it a tradition. This year, my parents ate with us and that was such a treat for us. Caroline had been praying for several days that they would, but we weren't sure if they were going to be able to. So we were very excited when they were able to come. 
We have another tradition in our family that goes to when I was a little girl. It might go back even farther to my mom being a child, but I'm not sure on that. We have to take a picture on the stairs before coming down to see what Santa brought. 
Once the picture on the stairs is done. There is that moment when you see all the Christmas magic. We don't put any presents under the tree until Christmas morning. When the children go to bed at night, the tree is decorated but empty. The next morning, is magical.
As well as leaving out cookies and in our case Iced Tea to drink for Santa. Caroline and Jack each wrote a letter to Santa. Caroline's letter said something to the effect of I'm sorry I don't believe in you because last Christmas when I asked my mom if you were real she didn't want to lie to me and say yes, but I still do believe in you in my heart. Santa writes each child back a note as well. This year Santa brought Caroline and Jack each a Stieff stuffed animal all the way from Germany. Since I have a bear from when we lived there, I think Santa wanted them each to have one of their own to love and cherish.
Opening Christmas stockings are fun. Candy, trading cards, toothpaste, lip gloss, socks, underwear.
We finally got to the presents. We cut way back this year. In addition to wanting to be wise in this economy, we just don't need a lot of extra stuff. Mom and Dad made the early morning drive over to be part of our festivities. Caroline's favorite gift was her Boogie Superstar Wii game that she can sing and dance to. Jack's favorite gift was his Leapster. Not being quite old enough for a Nintendo DS, he is happy to have a handheld game that he can play.
Another favorite tradition is going to Gommie and Papa's house to celebrate Christmas Round 2. We open more gifts, play games, have a talent show and eat yummy food. This year we had a shrimp and crab boil and it was delish!
Papa cranked the heat up on the hot tub and the kids loved having a dip before dinner!
Christmas traditions - the best of which is celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus. The fact that we are partaking in a tradition that people have done for thousands of years - having a wonderful birthday party - is just plain awesome! Happy Birthday Jesus!!!!!
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