Christmas Traditions

This is the first year that I have noticed some Christmas Traditions starting in our family. One of them is making Cinnamon Popcorn. I love this picture. If you look closely you can see little kernels of corn all over the place! Aaron was playing with the bottle of popcorn, flipping it up and down, throwing it in the air. Ashlee kept telling him "Dad, it's going to spill". Did he listen, nope. It sounded like the container had exploded! Popcorn kernels were everywhere! I can still find little pieces here and there, still!

A White Christmas.

Moving from Colorado and Utah, it just doesn't seem like Christmas with out snow. We were lucky this year to have it. It is pretty pathetic to only get 1 inch, but hey, it's a little piece of home to us.

Reindeer Food.

Ashlee's preschool gave her some reindeer food to put in the yard. It helps the reindeer find your home. Christmas Eve, Ashlee sprinkled it all over the sidewalk. It seemed to work. Santa found our house with no problems.

Another Christmas tradition.

This year we would read one Christmas story a night as a count down until Christmas. The Last story had a bow on it and was "The Night Before Christmas". Ashlee's favorite one was "The Night Before The Night Before Christmas". She would laugh at the part where the baby peed it's pants. You have to read it. It's really cute.

Christmas 2009

What a fun Christmas! Ashlee was so excited this year. Although, I think I was more excited than her. I woke up at 4 in the morning, and kept asking Aaron "Is that her? Is Ashlee awake yet?" Neither of us slept (not really his choice!). Finally we heard the pitter-patter of tiny feet as she came running down the stairs; Priceless! This year was Danielle's first Christmas and what better than to have her sister help her open presents and play with her afterwards. She didn't know what was going on but had fun with the boxes, noises, and flashy things.

The Real Meaning of Christmas

The Nutcracker

The Cavalier and the Sugar Plum Princess

The Snow King and Queen (Ashlee's favorite!)

Miss Ginger (Ashlee's 2nd favorite... maybe 1st. It was a tye!)

Clara

Ashlee and I were able to attend Chamberlain's "The Nutcracker". All because she filled up her jewel jar by making good choices. I am so proud of her and what a fun time it was.

After Clara saved the Nutcracker and went to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy, Ashlee would consistently ask me "What dance is this?" It was neat to see her interest in the ballet and the story. I was surprised at how professional and how great the dancers were. It was just as good as a professional level performance.

We went to the sugarplum tea party afterward where Ashlee was able to meet the dancers, have her picture taken with them and get their autograph. Most of the dancers kept saying how cute Ashlee was; I am pretty sure she was the shortest girl there. I had such a fun time with her. She is my little buddy.