I can’t help but feel like a little kid around this time of year, getting all giddy as I pull out all the holiday decorations. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday because it’s the one time of year when our whole family got together. Of course as we grew up we’ve moved away and started families so it’s gotten harder to see everyone. Last year our Christmas present to mom was getting the family linked up with Skype so we could still “see”each other. It’s not perfect but it works when we can’t always travel home.

My mom started a great tradition the year I was born and to this day we still continue it. Every Christmas she would get myself and my brother a new ornament for the tree. The thought behind this was there would be a memory from each year to hold onto and when we grew up and moved out we would have the start of a collection for our own trees. Every year when I unpack the decorations I sit for hours going through them all and remembering the great times we had growing up. Thanks mom!!

Living in Florida I’ve given in and did a no-no. (it’s a fake tree!) But I still think it looks great and even Dusty likes to curl up underneath. Here’s a couple ornaments from some past years.

Mom had made these snowflakes years ago. She crocheted them and then applied a starch so they they would stiffen up and we have them hanging all over the tree and throughout the house.

Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays!!