Christmas has come and gone once again. The girls anxiously await for its arrival ALL year! Gracie's comment Christmas day was "Oh my goodness! I can't believe it is actually here, I've been waiting so long!"
We have chosen not to include Santa in our Christmas tradition because we prefer to focus on the birth of Christ. We teach our girls that we give gifts because of the love in our hearts and the joy Christ has brought in coming into this world to save us. Our hope is that the girls will appreciate their gifts more as well as the givers and it helps to keep Christmas Christ centered and not kid centered. They are careful in not divulging the Santa secret at school and have never shown any disappointment in our choice in this.
We spent Christmas Eve at home together and then left for El Paso Christmas Day. This time of the year always has me reminiscing of past years spent with loved ones now gone. My fondest memories of Christmas include two very special people who have since departed this world for the next - Grandpa and Drino (my Godfather).
This was both one of their favorite times of the year and I vividly remember there jolly dispositions and loving hearts. Grandpa would look so dashing wearing red and greeting everyone Christmas Eve as they arrived for our celebration. Our Christmas Eve celebration tradition is held at my Grandparents' house. We eat dinner, enjoy company and stay up till midnight to open presents, though the waiting till midnight has arrived at earlier hours over the years. Oh! and I can't leave out the expectant anticipation we all have in eating my Grandmother's delicious Christmas cookies - pecan sandies and peronillas.
Our Christmas Day meal is then spent at my Godparents' house where we enjoy another delicious meal, celebrating and conversations with family.
