We had such a nice, relaxing Christmas this year filled with all of the traditions that we cherish as a family. Here’s a short recap of some of our favorite memories from this Christmas.
Holiday Lights
One of the highlights of the holiday season in El Paso is visiting the Christmas Light show at the Fred Loya house. This is a synchronized music and light show that won ABS’s The Great Christmas Light Fight in 2014.
After the light show you can walk through the lights and take photos. Hot chocolate and cookies are served at the house across the street. This year we stayed for two different showings.
Christmas Baking
I spend a little time in the kitchen baking with each of my children during the week before Christmas. EA is such an accomplished baker that she didn’t need a lot of help from m this year. She make some delicious peppermint brownies. Will makes Chex Mix Muddy Buddies with me every year. He loves shaking the bag!! MC likes making M&M pretzel candy with. It’s super easy and one of our favorite treats! And this year Jenny helped me with making Santa’s chocolate chip cookies.
Christmas Eve Party
One of our favorite traditions is our Christmas Eve family party. I have a spread of party foods and appetizers set out that we enjoy while watching The Polar Express. Of course, hot chocolate is served during the movie.
Last year I decided to tone down the amount of foods in my party spread, but when I put it all out, I realized that I had just as much if not more this year. I ordered a Red Velvet cake from Nothing Bunt Cakes this year and that was a huge hit!!
Our spread this year included: mixed nuts, Muddy Buddies, sausage & cracker tray, veggie tray, fruit tray, shrimp cocktail, candied pecans, chewies, chocolate chip cookies, brownies and M&M pretzel candy along with our Red Velvet cake.
Christmas Eve Book Flood
Last year we incorporated a Iceland’s Christmas tradition, known as “The Christmas Book Flood”. On Christmas Eve we all open up one present…a wrapped book. Then we spend the rest of the evening reading our new book before bed.
Here are the books that everyone received on Christmas Eve this year:
Keith – Presidents of War by Michael Beschloss
Monica – A Well Behaved Woman by Therese Anne Fowler
EA – The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
MC – The Land of Stories: Beyond the Kingdoms by Chris Colfer
Will – Space Case (Moon Base Alpha) by Stuart Gibbs
Jenny – Spirit Riding Free: The Adventure Begins by Suzanne Selfors
Snow!
We joke that we only get snow in El Paso at Christmas and that’s pretty much true. We had a little over a dusting of snow this morning and the kids were so excited! It was the kind of snow that I like, beautiful in the morning, but gone by the afternoon. Will and Jenny were able to don their winter coats and go out and play before lunch. They loved it!!
I pray that you all had a wonderful Christmas celebration this year filled with family, traditions, rest and the knowledge of our Savior who came to earth to offer us redemption.