Christmas Season

'Tis the Season!

This year is Luke's second Christmas! Last year he was only 8 months old and we traveled to FL for Christmas. He came down with pneumonia and it was pretty miserable! We decided last year would be the last time we'd travel at Christmas because I knew he'd understand more this year!

I am very excited for Luke's 2nd Christmas! He will be 20 months (WHOA) and understands so much. He also talks a ton now and lets everyone know his opinion. I know he will be ex
cited for his new toys that Santa brings but I am also excited to see how he reacts to our Christmas tree, visiting Santa, looking at Christmas lights, etc.
I am hoping to start (and continue) some family traditions for Christmas in our family!

Continued Traditions

Ornaments- when we were younger, my aunt always bought us a Christmas ornament every year. When she moved out of her mom's house her tree was bare and she didn't want that for us. So every year since I was born- both my mom and aunt got me a Christmas ornament. It was always perfectly selected for the year and my name and the year were written on the bottom. I have continued this tradition and always buy a family ornament for the year and also a special one for Luke. This year his ornament is an Elmo ornament since he loves Elmo and was Elmo for Halloween. I can't find the exact ornament but it looks similar to this

Stockings- we will continue to use the stockings I sewed last year for our family. We each have a beautiful stocking handmade with love by me!

Looking at Lights- I've always loved looking at Christmas lights and this year will be no different! We will probably take him to Zoo Lights so we can walk around and look at the displays. Hopefully we will find nice weather! If not we can drive around but it's hard for him to see out his rear facing carseat.

Christmas Card/Photo Shoot- I've always sent a holiday card and will again this year! Our friends and family will get to see Luke ready for Santa! Our list is always over 100 cards so I try to get the perfect picture. This year my best friend is going to help take the picture!

Visiting Santa- we will take Luke to the mall to sit on Santa's lap. Hopefully he likes him this year! I have no clue what to expect!  

 

New Traditions!

Some new traditions I'm hoping to start this year: (I will update with pics once I do them!)
Christmas Advent Books- I heard about the idea on pinterest, and being the book lover I am and how much Luke loves reading, I had to start this tradition! I will wrap up a holiday book for each day of Advent. Each night Luke gets to open a book and it will be his bedtime story for the night. At the end of the season, I will store the books with our holiday stuff and wrap them back up again next year!

Christmas Eve PJs- Luke will get to open up his PJs for Christmas Eve and wear them to bed. 

Gift Traditions- I love the idea of the 4 gifts from Santa but I might do them from us instead. I just can't decide if I want Santa to bring a lot, 4 gifts, or just 1 big gift. The 4 gift tradition is 
Something You Want (car playmat)
Something You Need (robeez socks)
Something to Wear (PJs or clothes)
Something to Read (a book)
I think that might be what Santa brings for him... at least for this year. I might change my mind next year! 

Traditions for next year!

a tradition I'm excited for but not doing yet is going on the Polar Express train at Mt. Hood. He just isn't old enough yet but we will go next year! The reviews are horrible so I'm hoping it gets better this year and next!
I'm also hoping to do some version of Elf on the Shelf or Kindness Elves, The Elf on the Shelf is a little creepy so I definitely like the idea of kindess elves better. Next year! 

I will update this page with new photos later!