BEND SANTA (take 2)/ FAMILY TRADITIONS

My brother is amazing... he brought in the Christmas cheer. He tracked down an old "ghetto" Santa suite to ring in the holiday festivities.

Mr. Claus appeared at the rental with his hands full of toys to shower the kids. Each present had been individualized. I thought uncle Dan played a great Saint Nicholas. THANK YOU!!! It reminded me of when I was younger. My grandfather, who we called Papa would secretly disappear each year as Santa routinely came to visit. I remember the fun-filled memories of those visits and the feelings of excitement which accompanied. It will be fun as we establish our own family traditions.

Some traditions that I had growing up:

1. Reenact the birth story of Christ and read from Luke 2.

2. Drink egg nog and eat Christmas mints while decorating the tree.

3. Open one present on Christmas Eve... which was always new PJ's.

4. Eat homemade apple pie for Christmas morning breakfast.

5. Traditionally having a formal dinner on Christmas Eve and leftovers on Christmas.

6. Drawing names for Christmas to purchase a present for a sibling. However, sometimes this was preplanned to the point that at Thanksgiving the name was under our plate.

7. If my grandparents (Turner) were visiting , they would treat us to a movie on Christmas Day.

8. My parents always had us take turns opening presents so nobody missed any reactions and my parents could enjoy each of their NINE children. THIS TOOK FOREVER!!!

Shane's tradition's differ like all families do:

1. Everyone woke up and then dressed up. Including wearing nice clothes and having their hair done.
• 2. Each child enjoyed a bowl of cold cereal. Shane grew up on a farm and cold cereal was a treat.  So there was always a lot of excitement when each child got to pick out their own cold cereal. His family would have breakfast and get ready before they were allowed to go into the front room to tear into Christmas which allowed time for Shane's dad to complete the farm chores and feed the animals and assure that he wouldn't miss out.
• 3. On Christmas Eve they read from the scriptures and reenact the nativity followed by signing Christmas carols.
  
• 4. Shane's dad always handed out the Christmas gifts.
• 5. As weather permitted, those who wanted to would go ice fishing.
• I am sure there are many more but I will have Shane add.