Saturday, December 8, 2007

Nostalgic Times

As I videotaped the kids and Jake decorating the Christmas tree, I was hit with immense feelings of nostalgia. I love this time of year for many reasons and it brings back memories of my childhood. I loved watching Ben and Emma get so excited, pulling out each individual ornament and plotting the perfect spot for it on the tree. One of my favorite things to do at Christmas time, a favorite since I was a teenager, is to come downstairs during the middle of the night, sit on the couch w/a fire going, all bundled up and just look at the Christmas tree lit up. It's so relaxing and calming. I'm looking forward to doing that very thing many times over the next couple weeks.

I love that Jake and I are developing our own family memories and hopefully they will become meaningful to our children, like our childhood memories have become to us. You really see the "magic" happen when you look into your little kids' eyes and see their excitement. Okay, enough cheese. :)

PS Take a look at the last pic. Yes, we got dumped on... AGAIN! I'm happy to report though, our Honda Odyssey made it just fine during the snowstorm. We went to our Ward Christmas Breakfast this morning at 8am and had to plow our own parking spot with the front of our car. It was quite the experience. Jake was nice enough to get our Christmas tree right after the breakfast, even though it was still snowing. He shoved the tree in the back of our van and put it up in our living room while it was still wet (hoping it would dry faster than in the garage, so we could decorate it soon.) As we put it in the stand, I held it straight as he tightened. I looked at the tree after he was done and noticed it wasn't straight (this happened four times), then I finally was okay with how it looked (even though it's still a tiny bit "off.") To say the least, Jake was not happy I made him get down on his hands and knees that many times with the melting snow dripping on him, just to move the tree a few inches. Sorry, babe. That's what you get for marrying someone with anal tendencies. :)



8 comments:

Iliana said...

I agree, it is so fun to see your own kids get so excited and amazed with things like christmas trees and gingerbread houses and every thing else that makes Christmas wonderful. Cute tree too! It looks so alive and green as opposed to ours which is almost totally dead and brownish :).

Ashleigh said...

Okay, I love that first pic. Emma is squeezing the life out of Ben. It's so cute! You're family room looks really nice. I like how we have some of the same stuff (ie. the snowman and santa w/long legs, the snow globe, the foil picture). So cute!

Sonja said...

Those were the days! I love having kids around for Christmas because they help see and make the magic. Dad and I miss singing carols together, (in 4 part), with you kids and picking traditions from our little red book.

Anonymous said...

A REAL tree - I am jealous Nate prefers the fake tree and lights the tree scented candle every night, but it just isn't the same.

Yes, family traditions are fun! Thanks for sharing some of yours with us your blogging public.

Julie said...

Wow! I can't believe all that snow! I'm glad I we're not spending Christmas in SLC this year. What a yucky drive that would be! That picture with Emma lovin Ben is so cute!

Nancy K said...

Your house looks so fun and yes, isn't this time of year so refreshing!

Ashley said...

Hi Jamie! I'm such a dork I didn't realize you had a blog. I am witting our Christmas cards, and I was looking at your Christmas card (super cute by the way), and I saw you had a blog address on the bottom. I read the whole letter, just not the last part. Hope you guys are doing great!

Julie G. said...

I love your fireplace and mantle. You are so grown up now! We need to get together in January at your new house. Yes I am inviting myself. :)