Tag: Christmas
A White Christmas In 2007
This year we were hoping for a white Christmas and it looked like we were going to get a really white Christmas. We got hammered with snow on December 17th, my birthday no less. James had to help shovel the snow because there was so much, and afterward we put together a snowman from a kit his Aunt Peg had gotten him a while bit. They kit came with everything except the snow, and mother nature provided plenty of that.
This would be James first snowman, and we had a ball putting him together. He lasted for about a week until a rain washed away most of the snow right before Christmas. The house really looked good with the now and the decorations, especially at night.
Christmas 2006
This was the first time James snuck into one of his gifts early. However in the years following it will be a constant battle keeping him out of his Christmas gifts, I know this from experience with my family. It was almost a game that you had to find your Christmas gifts and open them early, then sometimes rewrap them so no one would know.
James was just beginning to string words into sentences and sometimes you would hear the strangest sentences imaginable, but thats growing up I suppose. We spent Christmas Eve going around the neighborhood looking at Christmas decorations with Aunt Peg. I think James got more presents this year than any other year, perhaps more than any other child as well. Hopefully he doesn’t become spoiled, he’s a pretty good kid though and seems just as happy playing football with dad as he does the fanciest toys, although I may have some competition with the new car he got. Thanks again to all his Aunts and relatives for helping to make this a fun day.
Huggum Dolls Visit For Christmas 2006
Right before Christmas the family received a surprise from Mary’s mom, Huggum dolls that she played with as a child were sent to us so naturally we had fun taking pics of the dolls with the rest of the family.
They were sent to us Fed Ex and arrived safe and sound. This has been a tradition in Mary’s house for many years and the dolls do class up the place if I must say so myself. James was curious about them, wondering if they were playtoys or not, but Mom assured him they were not his to play with but rather family heirlooms to be passed on from generation to generation.
In these pics you can see some of the fun we had posing the dolls with some of the Christmas decorations. We especially liked the dolls on Jumbo the horse.
Christmas 2005
We bought our first inflatable Christmas decoration since Homer Simpson was stolen from outside our house. That happened before James was born. We tried it out in the living room and James just loved it, watching the little styrofoam snow pellets whiz all around the globe. Right before Christmas we went into a nursery and they were selling a big animated Santa with 2 elves for about 75% off (it was the last day before Christmas that they were open and they said they did not want to store it) so we picked that up as well.
Needless to say the house was very well decorated that year.
Christmas 2004
James really got into the Elmo thing this year so we got him a couple of those Elmo dolls that dance and play. A white Christmas made the decorations out front look that much better. We really put a big effort into the outside decorations as we have the archway and Rudolph decorations. It should be noted at this time in his life Rudolph is James favorite movie and will watch it once a day (but no more than once a day).
We had a chance this holiday season to visit both Canterbury Village (where he got to ride on the carousel with dad) and Bronners so we did not let the weather hold us back from showing James a good time this Christmas. Thanks again to all the relatives for the gifts that they sent James this year.
Canterbury Village 2004
If you are looking for a true fairyland for small kids I don’t think you can beat Canterbury Village and the Christmas stores that they have here (in addition to the carousel of course). The animatronics come to life and perform a short story for the shoppers, James just loved it.
Christmas 2003
This was James first Christmas and because of that it was probably my favorite one of all. A quiet but fun time at home with the newborn. James seemed to enjoy the atmosphere and all the presents, he played with some, other were for when he gets older. Its kind of tough shopping for a newborn, most of the toys say 6 months and up but Idgie and Lucy helped him look over his gifts and I am sure they would be happy to show him how to play with them.
He seems to genuinely like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and the Bumble snow monster. I remember being scared of the Bumble when I first saw Rudolph.
Christmas 2002
The Christmas celebration was in Trenton and Natalie and Renee came into town to help in the celebration. James Dad was very sick with a cold this day and spent Christmas in bed so Mom and Dad missed this one. It looked like an awesome time as Aunt Louise met her Great Grandson Jaden. Aunt Peg made it and took these pictures which amazed alot of us when we saw them because they are pretty good pictures, no thumbs or fingers in front of the lens or anything.
At the time we did not know that this would be the last Christmas celebration at the house in Trenton which was known for parties.
Christmas 1999
We used to do the Christmas display in the basement since my father was pretty much living in the living room (he was unable to walk in his later years). This year, after over a decade of having Christmas parties in the basement, we moved it up to the living room and decorated the entire house. This made things easier for my mother who’s task was to feed the huddled masses and she did not have to go up and down the steps to do that. This was my mothers last Christmas I believe.
The Christmas party went well and everyone had a good time. While having the decorations upstairs did not have the same atmosphere as having it in the basement, it was much more convenient for everyone since the bathrooms, kitchens, cable televisions, etc are all upstairs.
Christmas 1998
There was a little more motivation for the Christmas display and Christmas party this year as we received recognition from the City for our window decorations, just think what we would have gotten if they came into the basement.
More structures built with Styrofoam this year, we buy the Styrofoam where they sell insulation, certainly not at a craft store as it would be too expensive there. Once we cut it to shape, we use toothpicks to hold it together, placing a toothpick into one side about a quarter of the way, then moving the part we want to attach on top of this which usually pushed the toothpick halfway on each side. It also conceals the toothpick. Next we take lights and garland and place these around the areas and borders which makes for a light up house which looks pretty good and is very easy to store. The windows are added to the front by using a knife and garland is added to where the Styrofoam was cut. The windows need to be big enough so that you can decorate the inside from the outside.
From the Styrofoam we are able to build some cool structures.
