Christmas Traditions

Some of my favorite memories growing up come from the Christmas traditions in my family. Although it would probably take me all day to make a post about all the traditions I love, one that ranks high on the list is definately going to the Nutcracker at the Opera House in Lexington every year with my mom and my sister (as well as getting a nutcracker for my collection). It has been a long long time since I have been able to go with my mom but this year we got to go!! I would have loved it if my sister and her little girls could have gone with us, but we had a great time with my sister-in-laws and my darling nieces.

Christmas Party!

One of the fun things about being "grown-up" for me is getting to go to "grown-up" parties! I love going to social gatherings where people are dressed up, you get to drink punch, and there are shrimp cocktails! This year Adam and I went to his dental class Christmas Party and had a great time! Since it is now very obvious that I am "great with child" several of his classmates reminded me that I could only have the punch on the left because it was non-alcoholic (another "perk" to adult parties). I thought it was cute that they were looking after me and the baby and felt concerned enough to say something to me.
Even though there were no kids at the party, Santa still stopped by for a visit:) I think he must be a substitute for the real Santa because he didn't have rosey red cheeks:)

Lighting of the Tree!

It's been a tradition in my family, well at least my sister and I, to have a formal lighting of the tree once the tree is decorated! There is singing, laughing, and a small devotional.

Although ADam an I didn't quite go this far we did have a wonderful time decorating our first Christmas tree. Most of the ornaments come from when I was younger. Each year my mom and dad woud give me a new ornament for Christams that would reflect something that had happened that year. Being now almost 25 years old I have a pretty good collection. With the help of a few generic ornaments and candy canes our tree is pretty full.

We only ran into one problem...we (the singular we meaning Adam) forgot to cut off the bottom of the tree trunk before putting it in the tree stand. To our dismay we didn't realize this mistake until after the tree was already decorated... we got to decorate the tree twice this year!! We undecorated the whole thing, except for the lights, so Adam could take it outside cut the tree trunk, then bring it back in vacuum up the needles and redecorate.

I can't decide, do I look pregnant or fat...? I swear in real life I only look pregnant:) I am hanging up the first ornament Adam and I got as a married couple last Christmas.