There are so many things that I want to remember about this Christmas.
Some of them I’ll just treasure in my heart as they’re not captured in photo. Memories like reading our Jesse Tree devotions and placing the ornament on the tree. Memories like the looks of wonder on the faces of my children’s faces upon receiving some of their most treasured gifts. Memories like worshipping in chapel and seeing two soldiers come to Christ on Christmas morning.
But there are other memories that are captured and this post is filled with them.
I made fudge for the first time this year. This no-fail peanut butter cocoa fudge from Amy’s finer things was so good!! My husband loves fudge and I’ve never made it, so he was really pleased.
I also made these M&M hershey kiss pretzels. I used chocolate and peppermint Hershey kisses. I have to warn you that their combination of sweet and salty is highly addictive. I do believe these were my personal favorite Christmas treats this year!
We have a tradition of letting the kids stay up a little later to drink hot chocolate and watch The Polar Express movie before Christmas. We did this on Friday this year because our Christmas Eve was going to be busy with the candle light service on post. I’m so glad we did this and took the time to really enjoy this moment together.
On Christmas morning the kids and Keith began tracking Santa’s progress around the globe as soon as he left his home in the North Pole. The kids loved watching the videos at each location. It was a fun geography lesson!
Another tradition for us is to have a family party on Christmas Eve. We have an assortment of finger foods and snacks set out buffet style on the dining room table and then gather in the living room to enjoy them together. We don’t do anything special during this time but enjoy being together. Jenny was more than excited to begin digging into the red velvet cupcakes sitting before her!
The kids sat around the coffee table to eat. Our party was filled with excitement, sweet conversations, and laughter. We also read our Christmas Eve Jesse Tree devotion during this time.
After returning home from the candlelight service, the children exchanged gifts with one another. I was impressed with how excited they were to give. They put a lot of thought and care into picking out their gifts from one another, even though they came from the Dollar Tree.
Our Christmas tree filled with gifts on Christmas morning. I told my husband that it’s a little embarrassing just how much is under there, but it is also an incredible blessing. Most of the gifts are from family and I am so thankful for each and every gift we’ve received.
Santa does come to our house, but he is not our focus. He brings small gift for each child and fills their stockings.
EA was so sweet to sit down and write a note in her new journal after looking through her stocking. MC has been busy writing in her journal as well and my husband was sweet to remind me that I taught them to read…what a gift!
Keith and I used the self-timer on the camera to get a picture together before he left to prepare for his chapel service. It was such a blessing to see him preach on Christmas Day. He truly has a heart for sharing Christ with his soldiers and I am so proud of him!
After returning home from chapel, changing into pajamas, and enjoying brunch together, we began our gift-giving time. Everyone got involved in passing out gifts…even Jenny!
My baby was so happy to receive a Bitty Baby doll. Now she can stop stealing her sisters’ dolls!
Will is adorable in his new pirate costume…aaarg!
Every year, my husband gives us each an orange and a candy cane in a paper bag. Many are not able to receive the abundance that we have. And it wasn’t that long ago in history when the simple gift of an orange and candy cane was the standard Christmas gift for many. He explains that we are blessed with all that we have received, but we should be thankful whether we have little or much.
If you posted Christmas pictures or blogged about your Christmas memories this year, I would love to see them. Please leave a link in the comments and I’ll visit.
Post linked to: Sweet Shot Tuesday at My 3 Boybarians
Sherrie says
Hi!
Awesome memories! Have a great day!
Sherrie
Food for Thought
deb says
Looks like a wonderful Christmas! Those pretzel kisses sound amazing! I finally learned to make fudge right this year. I went to my mom’s and watched her make her famous fudge and I even took pics and did a blog post about it. I was able to make a batch later as good as hers!
Monica says
So glad you were able to make fudge like your mom! Those kinds of recipes passed on from mother to daughter are the best.
Susan says
Monica!
These were some awesome pictures and memories of such a special day! Love the idea at the end.
Praying 2012 will be a great new year for you all.
Monica says
Thank you, Susan! I pray that you will have a great new year as well.
Barbie says
What a fun Christmas. I made those yummy sweet and salty snacks this year. I used Rolos and Pecans on mine! Yummy goodness!
LifeAtTheCircus says
Looks like a truly wonderful Christmas. I love your tradition of snack foods on Christmas Eve and making it into a party. I also like how the kids give their gifts to each other on Christmas eve… my kids are also most excited about giving their gifts and typically their gifts are the first ones they want passed out on Christmas morning.
Coley says
Sounds like you all had an awesome Christmas! I’ll be posting pics and a recap of Christmas Day after the seizure as soon as I’ve had time to finish editing the mountain of pics!
Heather says
I enjoyed reading about your Christmas traditions! It is always fun seeing what other families do and finding new traditions of our own. We enjoyed tracking Santa too this year! And my baby got the same little bitty baby (same hair color even!)
erin gaines says
Hi Monica! It’s been a while since I visited your blog, so thought I’d pop in! Looks like you all had a wonderful Christmas! Love the pics 🙂 Hope you have a blessed 2012!
Erin