12/31 How We Celebrate...A Look at your holidays...

And just like that the holidays are basically over. Tomorrow, will be the last of the big family gatherings and too much food. I have to say, it was a wonderful Christmas season but it always goes too fast. I do believe almost everyone feels the same. I actually had no plans on posting until into the new year but alas here I am because I noticed that the Blended Blog had one more December prompt for the month that I liked. The prompt is How We Celebrate...A Look at your holidays, figured it was the best time to actually write down some of the traditions and memories that made our Christmas another great one (I also get to write this up on my new Chromebook! Thanks Mom and Dad).

One of my good friends was home for a quick visit over Christmas and I was luckily enough to catch him for a visit before he was off again. It was great to have a nice catch up with him since it had actually been a couple of years almost I feel like since he has been home. He says he is going to come home in the summer for a longer visit so I'm holding you too that Michael!

Christmas eve consists of my mom's side of family coming over for dinner/potluck. We now also include my best friend, her husband and daughter. It was great having everyone over, it was especially great this year having Quinn over because she is 6 and was just almost bouncing off the walls because she was so excited for Santa to come. The youngest in the family that was over was my cousin Charlie who is 16 (might be 17 I can't quite remember). So having a kid over was fun. She was so excited and is enamoured with my cousin Cole. Anyways, we always have a feast of food, drinks and great visit before everyone heads off to more holidays festivities with other family, friends or church. I normally get more pictures during Christmas Eve but I was more wrapped up in being present then I was making sure I got some pictures but I did get a couple of course!

The Wilson Clan...my most favourite people on this planet.

Stockings placed on the couch with care. And yes we have stockings for our dogs!

Santa has been here!

Me and my favourite girl Quinn! I think this was the only time she sat down for more then 3 seconds.

My parents!

The Wilson kids! I seem to look taller in this picture, I think it is because Erica is not standing up quite as tall as she is or I'm just pretending I'm taller than I am. 

Christmas Day, Chase came over around 8:30 for opening presents and Christmas breakfast which Erica made some delicious breakfast sandwiches. Everyone gave and received wonderful gifts. This was the aftermath....

For Christmas Day dinner, we of course had a beautiful turkey dinner thanks to my mom. We have my great uncle Jerry over for dinner, it used to be more but sadly we have lost loved ones over the years. It was a lovely day though filled with family, good food, presents and lazing around.

Boxing Day was a full on lazy day! I caught up on Criminal Minds, snacked most of the day and just laid around the house. On the 27th since the stores are closed in Nova Scotia on the 26th myself and Erica headed to Halifax to see what Boxing day sales were on. I headed up getting some stuff from Old Navy, MAC, La Senza and Winners. It was worth the quick trip up, Erica got even more than I did. I always love looking and seeing that you saved more than you spent. I got a great sports bra from Old Navy for $10! Can't complain about that.

I also got to have dinner with Danielle on Saturday and now here we are on Sunday, yes I'm even prepping this blog post.

I honestly hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and you're ready to start 2019 with a bang! I wish you all the happiness you need for you 2019!

xo

Christmas Countdown Day 11! Memories

TWO DAYS! I'm so excited for Christmas. I have everything done and I'm ready for everything. Today, I thought I would share some of my favorite holiday memories. 

I have so many amazing memories from past holidays I don't even know where to start. My parents always have made Christmas a special time, I can't remember a Christmas that was not amazing. You know some our traditions from my Friday post and those traditions have made for some amazing memories. 

One of my favorite memories is when myself and my siblings would all sleep in my room and this was not even that many years ago. We would all cozy up in my room and watch a Christmas and fall asleep. It was fun to all wake up together on Christmas day.

I also love the memories from when I was kid and we had to wait until mom and dad went downstairs got the Christmas lights on and Dad got the video camera going. We waited at the top of the stairs until we got the go ahead to come down and Chase when he was little would always bolt down and be so excited. Sometimes, I wish I could be a kid again just for those moments.

Another Christmas memory is from Boxing Day when we would all go to our grandparents house for dinner with my dad's side of the family. We would get to bring one or two of our new toys to bring with us (until we were too old for toys). We always had a kids' table too! I think on my dad's side we will always have a kids' table. My cousin Lauren who is the oldest on my dad's side joked she would be 40 and still at the kids' table. Though she was joking I don't think she is going to be wrong. 

I love all the memories and old stories that come up at Christmas time. It makes you remember what Christmas is all about, the time spent with your family and friends. It is the memories made not the presents your tree. What are your favorite Christmas memories?











 
I cannot believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve! YAY!!

Christmas Countdown Day Ten! Christmas Traditions

FIVE DAYS!!! FIVE DAYS!!! Yup, I'm getting far to excited for Christmas! And yes I know I'm 30 years old and not 5. I have always loved Christmas and I always will. Today, I thought I could talk about Christmas traditions because most of us have them, at least a couple. As I don't have my own family yet, I get to do all the lovely traditions I have done since I was child every year. I will probably still have some of these traditions when I have my own family too. 

My favorite tradition is our family gathering on Christmas Eve. All of my mom's side of the family comes over for a potluck and it is amazing. I have to say it is my favorite meal of the year. We normally get together mid-afternoon have some drinks, chatter and then gorge ourselves with delicious food. Seafood casserole, meatballs, ham, chicken, salads, potatoes, rolls and desserts! Then, everyone goes their separate ways to other families, church or just home. Normally, after we get everything cleaned up it is time for another tradition of going for a lights drive. It is used to get all of us but now it is just me, Erica and Chase. Mom stays home to make her pies for Christmas day. After that it is time to open one gift. The rest we open in the morning. I love Christmas eve almost as much as I love Christmas Day.

Christmas day is always the same too, up to open presents well stockings first then presents! Then of course breakfast/lunch followed by naps! These once were basically just for mom and dad but now we all love them haha Christmas dinner is spent with my great uncle Jerry from my dad's side of the family. It used to be my grandparents too but sadly both are no longer with us. This dinner is of course turkey and all the trimmings. My momma is one amazing cook and thankfully for her this daughter is a great cleaner. After I eat such a big meal I can't just sit so I normally clean up with some help from Erica and Chase.

Oh, how I can't wait until next week! What are some of your family traditions? Love hearing how everyone enjoys the holidays.

See you on Monday for Day 11!

xo