Holiday Traditions

Now that I am married and a mommy I love thinking about family traditions and things to do that are special around the Christmas time. We are truly blessed with wonderful family on both sides. We have started going to Elaine's every year and that is where we are right now as I blog. I love Birmingham and love spending time with our sister and niece. Every year now we get Tanner's picture made with Santa here in Birmingham. This year was the first time I have had to be in the picture. Poor Tanner was not about to do it alone. He loves Santa but I guess just from far away. I have started reading 'twas the night before Christmas to him at night and telling him the story of baby Jesus. We also got our own Elf on the Shelf thanks to meme and WE love it and having so much fun watching Tanner come out to find him every morning. For just turning two he is very verbal and just SO smart. We have named our Elf Roland and it fits him perfectly. We have had so much fun on our trip to Birmingham. We went to the zoo last night and looked at all the lights, had cocoa, and rode the train. Tanner has done so well and we have enjoyed being here. We are heading out again tonight to do some shopping and hang out with Rachel-Kate. Tomorrow we will do Christmas with them. I love going to Lake land on Christmas Eve day and we will spend that day with my mom and my Grannie Elsie. We will do lunch and gifts. Later we will head over to my dad and sisters to put Tanner down for a nap. On Christmas Eve ever since I can remember and even before that we have ALWAYS gone to my Aunt Brenda's house. We usually do finger foods, meatballs, sandwiches, ect. This year we are each making some sort of soup. I am making chili, my sister is making seafood chowder, and there will be ham, rolls, pies, cupcakes, and tons of others stuff. The best part is we each go around the room and tell a favorite memory, read a poem, or read scripture or a story. We then play a gift exchange game and have SO much fun. On Christmas morning when we were little after all the gift opening my mom would make all of us a big breakfast of eggs and sausage and biscuits. I too have started doing that for Billy, Tanner and I. Then we head over to my in- laws. We spend a good deal of the day over there. One of my other favorite traditions is being with them and enjoying our traditional meal. My mother in law is a fabulous cook. We have all the traditional items from dressing, and ham or turkey, all the way down to deviled eggs. She makes amazing mashed potatoes and her green beans are out of this world. I am getting hungry just typing this. ;) We open gifts and usually ( at least since I have been a Spivey) It is a Wonderful Life ends up on the television. My in laws are amazing and we love doing Christmas Day with them. When I was little my entire childhood we ALWAYS did Christmas dinner at my Grannie Elsie's and she too was an amazing cook. She had the best macaroni and cheese and best cornbread. Her dressing was amazing too. I am excited that we get to see her on Christmas Eve but she doesn't cook anymore. My Grannie Janet will be at my aunts on Christmas Eve and I am really hoping she brings her famous home made yeast rolls. She too use to have big dinners at her house when we were young. Christmas is for me always a time to reflect on all the good in life. All the family traditions and all the things that are important. Happy Birthday Jesus!!