Winning the Christmas Pickle

Hiding the Pickle on the Christmas tree is a tradition our family has had since the boys were toddlers.  The boys would rush down the steps to find the pickle.  Whoever found the pickle got an extra gift, so of course they tripped over one another to get to the tree first.  

Winning the pickle prize was quite an accomplishment.

The typical prize would be a game or toy the boys could share.

As they grew, the pickle prize lost it's luster.

The boys no longer cared if they won the prize or not.

 This year Zachary was the only one looking for the pickle because his 

brother's couldn't get out of bed.

 He looked a good 5 minutes before his Dad joined in the hunt.

I hid it well!!

 ps. The pickle is behind one of the red stars!!

This year the Pickle Prize was $50.00

You should have seen his brothers faces when they knew what Zachary won!!

I think next year they will get out of bed, don't you?

What does Christmas Eve look like at your house?

Christmas 2001

Probably the only time I wait to the last minute to do anything is on Christmas Eve. I got into the bad habit of wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve.  Although it isn't as hectic and stressful as it used to be when the boys were younger.  There are less (but more expensive) presents to wrap.   I like to wrap presents watching the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" starring Jimmy Stewart and drinking a glass (or two) of wine.

Christmas 2009

Christmas Eve is when we hide the pickle on the tree.  In the past the boys would rush down to find the pickle.  Whoever found the pickle first got a prize.  The pickle prize varied over the years from toys to games and now... money.

Christmas 2007

We also spend Christmas Eve with good friends of ours.  We have Chinese take out and unwrap gifts.

Christmas 2006

Christmas Eve is always the time we would take a family photo.  Not the easiest thing to do with three uncooperative boys and dogs that can't sit still.  Seems like each year it gets harder and harder to get a picture.
Wishful thinking on my part, but maybe this year the boys won't moan and groan!!

The man behind the lens

My son, Ahren picked up his dad's camera to record all the memories of Christmas day.

I don't think these photos will make the family album this year.

Although they are award winning photos, I don't think Ahren should quit his day job.

Merry Christmas!

If I were Santa….

If I were Santa, I'd be a girl-Santa.  Not only would be a girl-Santa, but a girl-Santa-holding-a-hockey-bag (in lieu of a sack).  In my hockey bag would be all the sticks, skates and pucks any hockey elf could ask for.

In return, this girl-Santa-holding-a-hockey-bag would not ask for anything in return other than seeing the bright smiles on the little elves faces.

A little over ten years ago I was that girl-Santa who gave her elf hockey skates for Christmas.  Oh, if you could have seen the joy on his face when he opened the box.  His smile went from ear to ear, his face lit up and (I swear) his eyes sparkled.  He hugged the skates and said "Wow!"  He was in awe and couldn't wait to go skating.

His hockey path was forged at that moment… and he's still playing….

Now this girl-Santa is the one grinning from ear to ear, watching her elf in awe….
all while he plays a sport he has loved since he was a little boy!

Best moment since last Christmas?

What is the best thing that has happened to you, since last Christmas?

I couldn't think of just one thing that stuck out.  I decided to list an important milestone for every month of 2013.

January
The NHL lockout ended and hockey was back!

February
Zachary got his drivers license

March
Todd and Zachary visited Full Sail University

April
Easter egg decorating

May
Zachary's senior prom

June
Zachary graduated high school

July
Todd and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary

August
Family vacation to Ocean City, NJ

September
Brandon's hockey season began and was named captain to both teams he plays for.

October
My mother-in-law turned 70!

November
Thanksgiving and family blessings.

December
looking forward to Christmas!

It's beginning to look like Christmas… in my house

The day after Thanksgiving we ate leftovers and took down all the fall stuff.

 I was excited as we began putting out the Christmas decorations.  

I love the smell of the free pine tree and cinnamon potpourri.  

Snowmen are my favorite winter decorations.

 I love red Poinsettia's.

 This is my version of "elf on the shelf".  My elf isn't as scary looking. =)

My house has an Americana theme to it.

We have a faux tree that is set up in our family room.

It's to small of a space to fit our live tree.

Some of my favorite tree decorations.

How do you decorate for the holidays?

Me, my sisters and Santa

1978

Tami, Tiffani and Tori

 1977

Tami, Tiffani and Tori

1976

Tami, Tiffani and Tori

1975

Tami, Tiffani and Tori

1974

Tami, Tiffani and Tori

 1973

Tori, Tami and Tiffani

1972

Tiffani, Tori, Tami

1971

Tami and Tori

1970

Tami and Tori

 1969

Tami - 1 year old.

1968

Tami - Almost 2 months old.

 Merry Christmas