Making a list and checking it twice!

Off our back deck

I'm trying to figure out if I'm all ready for Christmas.  We've taken a much simpler approach to Christmas this year.  We're not moving to a new state like we were doing this time last year. So, I guess anything else in comparison is "simpler".  So raise your Mt. Dew (or drink of choice) and toast to one year in West Virginia.

We were talking to some new friends that just moved into the area and they won't be around family either for Christmas so I put on my brave face and told them how wonderful Christmas can be even without family. :(  We've celebrated most of our holidays without family that it's starting to become a norm for us.  Anyway, it got me thinking about our own family traditions that make our days so special.  One of our very favorite traditions is a steak fondue on Christmas Eve.  We've almost burned down our house during this tradition and it reinforces playing with fire to the kids. What a wonderful season.  Also on Christmas Eve we open a family present and it's always a game to play together that night.  I can't get through the season without a good smelling candle and Christmas music.  Those are the things I enjoy the most.

A fire truck drove by tonight with the sirens blaring and we thought our apartment was on fire. They were collecting food for the shelters so we had the kids standing outside (with flip flops on) waiting to hand them some food.  They thought that was neat.  That's a good tradition.  I also love helping with local Angel Trees.  I try to make sure the kids are with us when we do the shopping so they understand that this is a great season to serve.  I hope that all your holiday traditions are merry and bright but don't include burning your house down.