December

Well, it's the best time of year! Also one of the busiest for our family! We have so many functions, banguets, practices and parties that the month flys by! However, we are starting a few new traditions to help us remember what this season is all about! We had a great friend who shared the art of "booing" in October. The kids absolutely loved it, so we wanted to come up with a similar tradition in December! So my 2 youngest chose a friend to surprise! We don't have a cutesy name(so if you can think of one please share). But we talked about giving to those we love, just like God gave us his son as a gift because he loved us. Another tradition I have picked up from a good friend is opening a gift each night, however it's not a new gift! So no money is spent....yay!!! Like most families we have a ton of Christmas books, so thanksgiving evening you begin by wrapping up 24 of your Christmas books. Then starting December 1st each night a package is opened and you read that book! You can draw to decide who opens and reads or have certain order, youngest to oldest, etc. Finally, on Christmas night you complete this tradition by reading the story of Christmas from the Bible. I am way excited to start it next year. A tradition we have done since Kam was little was build a gingerbread house or train.  Kam didn't want to participate this year, he said he's done it so many times it just wasn't fun any more....tear, tear!!  Kenzi and Ky still had a great time.  Ky loved licking all the extra icing and Kenzi enjoyed the left over candy! 

Makenzi is creating a masterpiece!

I love the picture above!  Below Makenzi and Kyler are so proud of their work of art!!  But they can't wait to eat it!!

More Maple Traditions!
One of our other traditions I have already written about the elf on the shelf. He has been hanging out on the garland for awhile, I think he's really comfy there.  If you don't know about the elf check out this website www.elfontheshelf.com. We also have the pickle ornament, which is fun for the kids. It's an old German tradition.  I have had this pickle since I was in college and the Williams (a family I babysat for) gave it to me as a Christmas gift.  So everyone has a pickle on their tree in my family.  Anyways, I just hope my kids will have wonderful memories of this time of year like I do from my childhood!