Favorite Christmas Memories

As I sit by the Christmas tree, it makes me reflect on special years gone by. I have so many wonderful memories of Christmas. I thought I would highlight just a few of them (in no particular order) . . .

1. The Disneyland trip we took with Mom and Dad our first year in Spokane. We drove down the Oregon and California coast, and it was so beautiful. We stayed in great hotels (something I LOVE to do) and we had a blast! Sammi and Daniel were 3 and 1 at the time, and Disneyland was magically decorated for Christmas. I love being with my parents, they know how to have a good time! :-)

2. Our first Christmas in our apartment in Spokane. It was also our first Christmas spent alone as a family. It was so Heavenly. That Christmas was our first live tree, and creating all sorts of traditions that will last through the ages for us. One such tradition is watching the Polar Express on Christmas Eve. We are not aloud to watch it until then. On Christmas eve we watch, drink hot chocolate, and create a magical feeling for all, so we can drift off to dreamland. That year was filled with trains, and every good thing. It was simple, but magic for us.

3. One Christmas night in Anchorage, Alaska, I can remember hearing Santa Claus! You know he lives not too far from there. OK, so it was my older brother in the driveway jingling his keys, trying to trick us. But, I loved it. He also pointed out Rudolf in the sky and said we small children had better go to bed (My brother is 14 years older than me). For some reason, to this day, I still remember that as a highlight of my youth. Now, I do the same thing for my children. ;-)

4. I peeked. Yes, I admit it. Every year I would sneak downstairs in the night to make sure Santa had come. I am so glad I did peek. Those memories for me are priceless. I know that my brother John peeked too. ;-) I also tried to find where the presents were hiding in the house. So, knowing that about myself, and knowing Sammi is more cunning than even I was (she was checking the store receipts that were lying around) we hid the presents at work with Charles. :-)

5. I loved it when my dad would come home from shopping and we were all told to hide our eyes. We would peek (of course) and watch as he would unload garbage bag after garbage bag full of gifts. We all hoped there was one for us!!

6. I just loved Christmas at my parents home. They created an ambiance of Christmas that was so thick - you could literally feel it when you walked into the home. Perhaps it was the eight Christmas trees my mother would set up each year! She was definitely Mrs. Claus when it came to decorating. This year they have a tiny tree and are celebrating Samoan style!

7. Christmas Eve Pajamas - I LOVE them!

8. I have always enjoyed driving around trying to find the best display of Christmas lights. We have found some pretty stellar displays over the years!

9. Spokane was perhaps my favorite place to have Christmas. It was a city made for Christmas. That is where Bing Crosby is from after all! Nestled in amongst all the huge Ponderosa Pines, Spokane was magic! If I could go back there - I would!

10. Charles. I love being with Charles for Christmas. He is like a child. I send him in to pick up one or two more things for the kids, he comes out with ten. He just cannot resist! It is a quality that I love in him. It is a quality that my father has, and I think of him when I go shopping with Charles. Charles was an only child, so being a dad to three children is a dream for him! I am glad to be part of it!