Christmas Eve 2008

John and I did not receive any china as a wedding gift. I figured it was better than receiving one place setting and not being able to do anything with it.

When we were moving my maternal grandmother, Mema, out of her house and into my mom's, my mom found 5 *almost* complete place settings of china. It was not Mema's china and she had no idea where this box of china came from until Ana saw it. Ana, a close family friend who is practically family, said that when her friend got divorced, she asked Ana to get rid of some stuff for her. The china was in that stuff and when Mema saw it, she said she would like it. My mom called and asked if I would like the china and I said sure since I was getting my Papa's old china cabinet that belonged to his mother. When I saw the china, I couldn't believe my eyes. I'm pretty sure it is the VERY same pattern that I had registered for but never received! Also there were 7 crystal goblets. How blessed am I to receive this china?

I told John we would be using it for Christmas Eve and he couldn't believe I was going to let the children eat off my china. I believe that you shouldn't just let the china sit in a cabinet for the 60 years you are married. Plus, even though it is a retired pattern, I can still order more on ebay I'm sure.

I wish I had a video of my children sitting down to dinner that special night. They asked things like, "We are going to eat with these?" and kept talking about how "fancy shmancy" it all was. I really enjoyed their reaction and plan to serve many more "fancy shmancy" meals in the future.

I made Chicken Cordon Bleu the German way for John and I and Schnitzel for the children. As you can see, my Cordon Bleu took up half of my plate. It was delicious but I couldn't finish it.

Sorry Ethan, no china for you yet!

After dinner, I sang a song to the children called "The Most Beautiful Story That's Ever Been Told." It was hard to sing without crying and at the end I REALLY struggled but I plan to sing it to them every year. It really is a beautiful song.

Then we sang other Christmas carols and read some Christmas stories. It was a very nice Christmas Eve.

Happy Halloween!

For the last couple of years, Jack and Abby have designed their own jack o'lanterns. They draw what they want on paper and my talented husband John carves them. I imagine we'll have to buy four pumpkins next year. Aren't they cute?

I didn't get to take many pictures of my children dressed up this year but I will try to post some later.

Pumpkin Cookies

Okay, so maybe Pumpkin Shaped Cookies is a more accurate description.

My creative and clever husband John made the children a stencil for a Jack o'Lantern face. Isn't it cute?

Here is a picture of Joshua looking at his cookie. He hadn't eaten any of his dinner and I told him he had to eat a few bites before he could have a cookie. When the cookies were ready, I pulled his dinner back out of the fridge. Even seeing and smelling the yummy cookie wasn't temptation enough to eat any meatloaf, mashed potatoes or green beans.

While rolling out the dough, I ate too many little bites and feel a bit ill. Oops.

Home For The Holidays

For me, Christmas is about memories and traditions and being with those you love.

We have gone to Virginia Beach for Christmas for five out of the seven years we've lived in Stanardsville. We love going down there and being with our families, having Sauerbraten and acting out the story of Jesus's birth on Christmas Eve with the Niepraschks, having Christmas morning pictures with the Monteiths, giving and receiving gifts, playing games, making and eating the holiday treats we have enjoyed since we can remember, and if we are lucky, catching the fourth Advent with the Niepraschks. We LOVE it!

Many Niepraschks have moved away from Virginia Beach. This year there will be only 4-8 Niepraschks for Christmas Eve instead of 60 plus. There will be less people to play games with and probably no Advents. I guess it will never be the *same*. I loved having predictable traditions with my extended family and I am sure my siblings and cousins will miss them too.

I've been thinking over the years about this and I have decided that we need to stay home for Christmas at least two years out of every three. I want to create holiday memories and traditions with my own family. I believe it is important for families to have traditions for the children to look forward to every year and my children already have many. (Right now they can't wait to make pumpkin shaped sugar cookies to decorate!) Also, I want them to want to come visit me (once every few years) for the holidays when they are grown with families of their own. I plan to go visit them for the holidays too. For me, Christmas is about family.

It doesn't matter where you are for the holidays as long as you are with the ones you love-- creating memories that won't easily be forgotten.

Just for fun here are some pictures of my early Christmases:





Here is a picure of John's second Christmas. Adorable! Don't you think?

Here is a Monteith family Christmas morning picture. They take pictures on the couch every Christmas morning BEFORE opening their presents.