The holiday season is special for many reasons but what I look forward to most every year are the traditions. Growing up, we did not have expensive gifts under the tree, receive the latest gadgets, or get everything on our wish list...but what we did have, that I carry with me today are the traditions my parents thoughtfully established, practiced, and made important; traditions that I try to continue with our family today. While it is wonderful to carry on special traditions of childhood, it is also important for Jon and I to start our own little Keimig family traditions.
One of these is our little family Christmas celebration. Having moved away from family shortly after getting married, Jon and I began celebrating Christmas, just the two of us, the Friday before we ventured to Minnesota for the holidays. We exchange gifts, eat homemade pizza and watch our favorite holiday movie (ranging from old classics like "White Christmas" and "Holiday Inn" to new classics like "Elf"). As Vinnie joined the family, the tradition continued and this past weekend, we had our little Keimig family Christmas. New to the celebration this year...Santa!
Immediately after arriving home from school/work/daycare on Friday evening, the hunt was on. We could tell by the eaten cookies, that Santa had made a visit...now we just needed to find those presents. Vinnie hunted through the house before venturing downstairs to see the load Santa (and mom and dad too) had brought him, both in gifts and stocking. He wripped through gift after gift, only pausing briefly to see what was under the wrapping before moving on to his next gift, and when his were gone he went straight for mom and dads gifts. We will have to do a little lesson in patience and the whole "its better to give than receive" before the gifting continues on Christmas Eve, Christmas Morning, and again on the day after Christmas.
Vinnie also met Santa. One of his favorite places in the whole world (the Kernels baseball stadium, or "b-ball game")was hosting a holiday celebration, complete with Mr. Clause himself. Figuring the atmosphere alone should win him over, we thought this was our best chance for a photo opportunity of him on the lap of the man in red. Well...we thought wrong. Vinnie strategically placed himself in the window farthest away from Santa and peered onto the field, pathetically repeating "b-ball game?" While trying to coax him over in Santa's direction, we heard that Santa was handing out fruit snacks. THAT was our in! While Vinnie was not willing to sit on Santa's lap, he was willing to get close enough to wrap his fingers around a delicious bag of Fruit Snacks, and we got a picture or two.
This weekend was filled with wonderful moments that will be cherished as sweet memories in the days, weeks, months, and years to come. I learn more and more each year how special time with family is, and I look forward to even more of that in the new year! At the end of this week, we will travel North yet again, for some much needed relaxation, celebration, and family time.
Don't forget to tune in come January for more pictures and stories from our holiday celebrations in Minnesota. Until then, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
