Christmas Traditions


Every year I look forward to Christmas, not necessarily for the presents (although that is a plus) but for the traditions we have. My mom is big on traditions (I think she got that from Nannie). Every morning my dad wakes up really early (like before the sun is up early) so that he can go downstairs and start the fire and make sure everything is ready. When Matt and I were younger, we would wait on the stairs until we heard the Chipmunk music, which meant we could go downstairs. Now that we are older though, my dad usually makes sure we are up and ready for present time. My mom would always shower and get dressed before hand because my dad would tape christmas morning, but now that we don't do that anymore I think she does it just to be funny. I remember begging her to hurry up when I was little because we weren't allowed downstairs until she was done. When the music started my dad would be at the bottom of the stairs, probably more excited than we were, and so we raced down. We always open stockings first in the family room. We have to force my mom to open hers because she's always too busy watching us. After thats over my dad leads the way into the music room. He opens the door and we see that once again, they have outdone themselves. We aren't one of those families that open presents one a time because we get too excited. But we do have to wait until mom and dad hand us our presents. They always have some little plan of what order we have to open them in. For example. One year I think I got to open American Girl doll accessories so that I knew I was getting the real thing! They are so tricky. Anyway after presents my mom has us eat breakfast in the dining room. We always eat breakfast casserole and it's always great. As soon as thats over we have to clean up our presents and trash right away and bring everything up to our rooms. Presents, breakfast, and cleaning is all over by 12 noon. Crazy huh? But then we have the rest of the day to enjoy and celebrate!

Why is it that professors try to cram as much work in as possible before finals??? I'm sure all the other college students know what I'm talking about.

I still have about a week left here. I'm ready to be done. I'm overstressed, overworked, overwhelmed and OVER SCHOOL! haha

I can't wait to be home and curled up around the fireplace with my family and kitties. I usually feel as though I miss out of the Christmas season because there is too much work to do at school. I am excited to be home, even if it is only for a short time. I kind of even miss the banjo....wow did I just say that? Mom, don't let dad read this :) hahah

Anyway, Chipmunk music, cookie baking, and Christmas shopping all awaits me when I get home. I can't wait! I will see many of you on the 23rd in church! (I get back the 22nd from NYC and then Christmas dinner at my Pop Pop)

Merry Christmas!

We took Christmas pictures in our apartment the other day. We probably took over 50 pictures! I feel bad for the girls we got to do it for us :) Anyway... I'm counting down the days til I can actually say I DON'T HAVE HOMEWORK! Well I guess I still have to read a textbook for my Costa Rica trip... but I mean I get to go to Costa Rica so who cares! It's kind of sad though because by the time I get home (after our usual early Christmas dinner at Pop Pops) I will only have like ten days to be home. Even less than that if I go to visit Alex at all! Oh the price we pay for fun! Haha I leave January 3rd for my trip but I'm going back to school the 2nd so I can wake up early the next day. The bus leaves school at 9:30 am. BUT a girl I met that's going on the trip is going to come stay with me for the night! So that's fun!

Only about 2 weeks left! My last exam is Wednesday night, the 19th, 6-8 pm.