An Old-Fashioned Christmas

I love Christmas...
spending time with family, watching movies, listening to Christmas music

And this year was no different

My mom does such a great job decorating the house at Christmas



And she's made each of our stockings



Christmas Eve service at my parent's church

Here's my brother about to sing his solo during the Messiah



My mom convinced my dad & I to help her bake bread Christmas morning



So we kneaded...



waited for it to rise...



and watched it bake



While waiting for the dough to rise & bake, dad & I relaxed with the doggy & watched a movie



Then the rest of the family arrived







We enjoyed dinner together & opened gifts







It was a great day!

~~~~~~~~~~~

On Sunday, we celebrated with my dad's side of the family



Ate another huge meal



And opened gifts (in a living room that seems to get smaller each year!)



The aftermath



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I am so grateful for a family that I enjoy spending time with each holiday!

Over the River & Through the Woods

to Grandma's house we go



I took some pictures from inside the car while on the drive to my grandparent's house for our family Christmas celebration



It was a clear



winter evening



& the setting sun



was a breath-taking backdrop



for the snow-covered fields

The View From Here - Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."
Luke 2:10-11



May you know the true joy of Christmas.

Ornaments

Each year, I love pulling out the box of Christmas ornaments, picking up each one to put on my tree & briefly holding on to the memory each one has.


I think this is one of the oldest ornaments I have, receiving it as a young child. And it's always the first ornament I put on my tree each year.

My parents (well, more likely my mom!) have been awesome at giving us at least one new ornament each year. So when I had my own tree, I already had a great collection of ornaments.


This snowman was from 2003, from a trip my parents took to NYC. I think this was bought at Macy's, before Macy's took over the retail world & was something special only in New York.


I love the homemade ornaments from when we were kids. This reindeer is made from clothes pins. How cute is that?!

And even more cute is what's written on the side: "To: Carrie, From: Christa".


It must have been from a family gift exchange when my cousin Christa had my name.


Speaking of family, my great-grandparents would get each of us grandkids a personalized ornament every year. I have numerous metal ornaments like this with my name & the year etched on them. This one's from 1993.


My great-grandma also used to crochet/knit, and this stocking ornament is one of her creations.

And speaking of homemade, I decided one year (2002, maybe?) to make ornaments for friends & family.


This gold & white star is made of corsage pins & beads.


And this clear ornament is stuffed full of gorgeous Christmas ribbon.


This angel was given to me by one of my supervisors when I worked in the Advancement Office at Spring Arbor University. I love that I have something to remember my time working with them.


And what is the Holiday season without Rudolph? This is another one from my parents.

I like to shop for ornaments each year to add to my collection. Here are some of my favorites.







What are some of the stories behind your Christmas ornaments?