Yes!! Christmas is almost here!!

Yes, I know Thanksgiving is first but if you know my family's track record for something disasterous to happen on Thanksgiving you might start to realize that I get nervous about Thanksgiving. It seems like ever since my grandfather passed away on Thanksgiving when I was a sophmore in college callamity has followed as a tradition. There have been snowstorms almost everytime we travel for the holiday that seem to know exactly where we are in our travels and target us. The last time that happened was when Lilly was two months old. We got stuck in the very last motel room in Gothenburg Nebraska. This is not a motel I would choose to stay in!! It just so happened that we were traveling with my brother Coyde who became ill with food poisoning five minutes after we got into our room. FUN!!! We were there for 2 days. All roads closed. What a mess. The next year, my brother is once again with us at my parents-in laws' house earing turkey dinner when we receive a phone call that our dad has had a heart attack, been admitted to Chadron hospital and is being life flighted to Rapid City. Needless to say I have to think twice before calling Jill my supervisor the weekend of Thanksgiving becuase when she sees my number on this weekend she immiediately assumes it's not good news!!
Anyways, a friend of mine, Rachelle, had this on her blog and I thought it sounded like fun. So here goes.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both ~ I like to have presents wrapped but if I'm pressed for time I will throw them in a gift bag. I'm also fortunate because Eric is great help with this.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. I grew up with real trees cut from our pasture. They were posderosa pine. But with My allergies and Madeline's allergies developing over the recent years we've referred to artificial. I must say I miss the smell f a rel tree but love the ease of the artificial.

3. When do you put up the tree? Typically we don't decorate until after Thanksgiving but this year we decorated two weekends before Thanksgving because of our trip right after Thanksgiving. I was afraid that if we didn't do it early we wouldn't get it done.

4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime in January. It's gotten leter and later. I like to try to have it done right after New years but sometimes that doesn't happen.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, but I like it plain, no alcohol. Shocking I know.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I always remember my dolls that mom gave us each year. My favorites included the homemade dolls made my Lynne Plooster and the dollbeds that her husband made. Another one was the horse "Star" that my siste and I received. I think this was fun because we couldn't believe they had kept her hidden for weeks without us knowing she was there and she bit dad's ear on Christmas day. She never did like him.

7. Hardest person to buy for? I have the hardest time with Melissa, I don't know why because it should be easy but I lament over this one each year.

8. Easiest person to buy for? My girls. Actually I have to put a stop to it!!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Several, I have a willow tree set in my living room, Fontanini set on my piano, and the girls each have a Little People one in their rooms. Oh and I have a cute little set in my room.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. We just have too many people that would not see it on the blog or on an email. Although this year I'm nervous no one is going to see it until after Christmas!! It's not exactly on my priority list just yet.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A basketball. If you recall, I'm not the athletic type, I lived on a farm where cement was non exsistant, and I never really understood why my dad would pick this when he hates the sport and didn't really ever want us to participate in such things? I've always chalked it up to "It's the thought that counts."

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Polar Express.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Months before. But I always find that I'm still running around shopping for loose ends.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes, but I'm not telling what it was.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? All food!

16. Lights on the tree? Yes, White ones in the living room and blinky colored ones in the dining room.

17. Favorite Christmas song! Away in the Manger and Silent Night

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel. Are you kidding we are always gone!!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yes, but for the sake of time not here.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star in the living room that lights up and sparkles with reflection off the crystal and an Angel in the dining room that Eric's family used growing up.

21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning.

22 . Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Cold and people saying they don't like Christmas.

23. Favorite Ornament theme or color? I have so many. The tree in the living room is my dream tree because it's fancy and themed but the tree in the dining room is special because it's filled with odds and ends that the girls have made or that are from my childhood or Eric's childhood.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? My mother-in-law makes prime rib for Christmas Eve. Yum, Yum!! Love it. This was a good tradition to start. I also always like the home made noodles and beef that Great Grandma makes for Christmas Eve. Oh and her home made carmels. THE BEST!!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Happiness. And pieces for my China set:)


WOW that was alot!! MERRY CHRISTMAS. Remember it's all for the purpose of remembering what Christmas is about. It's still possible with glitter, and presents.