Christmas Past

Reflecting on Christmas Past.

While I bustle around with last minute preparations for the holiday today I am remembering Christmas Past.

I am so thankful, for all of the beautiful Christmas memories I have in my heart.

From the wonder filled white Christmas mornings from my own Childhood to watching my children's twinkling eyes as the big day approaches.

First Christmases spent in new homes....

My husband and I closed on our first home 2 days before Christmas 18 years ago.  We actually moved in before we closed but I wouldn't unpack a single box until it was officially ours.  So I ran around that last day putting what I could out to make it our Christmas home.  

Because we had just committed to a new home our budget was very tight that year, and I made dried orange and apple slices to hang from our freshly cut tree hung with raffia.  Our house smelled so nice that Christmas, it's funny how even smells can be remembered!

Each of our babies First Christmases, 

so grateful for the new addition to our family.

Now I put out

nativities and ornaments handed down from loved ones no longer with us.  Items that bring my heart closer to the fond memories of Christmases spent with them. 

and

Through all of the Christmases...

we may 

add new loved ones to our family, remember those no longer with us, we can also,change our holiday decor, try new recipes, and search for the perfect gifts...

all a part of celebrating.

But, one thing remains constant with each passing year....

Our holiday has always been filled with....

love

hope

joy

peace

enjoying the company of family

making memories with loved ones

Excitement in the preparations

At peace with our continuous blessings one Christmas to the next...

Of all the Christmas gifts I have received over the years,

There is no gift that I treasure more than the memories that I have been blessed with...

I sure hope you don't mind taking a walk down our 

Christmas memory lane 

with us for a little while.... 

A Baby's First Christmas...

Visits with Santa

Decorating the tree....... 

(Years with braces on....braces off.  New glasses....contacts)

and crafting presents and decorations....

Chubby baby fingers swiping Santa's cookies, 

Babies more excited with the wrapping paper and packaging than the gift itself.

Posing for Christmas Card Pictures.....

Making a mess in the kitchen with my boy baking up some Christmas Cookies... 

The joy on Christmas Morning!

After Church, Quietly reading  

The Night Before Christmas....

Waiting Patiently on Christmas eve...

 Those are some of my favorite Christmas memories....

Well, I still have a lot of wrapping to do......
I'm off for now, hopefully I can share Christmas Present with you tomorrow.  I wonder if that is why we call it  
"Christmas Present".  Is it because we spend so much time wrapping it up...Ba-dum-dump...(Oh boy!).....lol.  

Thanks for stopping on by if you haven't signed up for the GBP cookbook giveaway there's still time.....head over to the last post to sign up!  If you have already signed up, I am truly enjoying your Christmas stories....thank you!

Take good care of yourself!

Dee