I remember growing up, we would do the same thing every Christmas. We mainly celebrated on Christmas Eve went to the early church service, which most of the time had the Christmas pageant that one of the kids was in, then dinner at Grandpa and Grandma Nelsons or the Brustuens. Dinner always was the same awesome thing: ribs, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, Grandma Goldies special cranberries, rolls and green beans. Then we would all clean up, head to the living room where Grandpa (who was a retired pastor) would read the Christmas story from the bible and then we would take turns opoening gifts. Now, to some, this may seems weird. I know that my in-law siblings thought this was a little wacky the first time, but to us it made sense. We would go in age order and I HATED being youngest because I had to wait forever!!! Grandpa Arnie had it down...he would just go for it randomly, kinda funny :) This way, we can all see what everyone got. As Mims says, half the joy of opening presents is seeing the reaction of the gift receiver when he/she is opening. So true!
When the Brustuen kids got married off, we adjusted our Christmas Eve tradition. Now, my favorite part of our tradition, the big Christmas Eve meal, still happens much to our siblings' surprise, but with my smaller family unit consisting of me, Will, Marin and Mims. We even have the almond in the dessert and whoever gets it wins a prize. It brings back great memories of my grandparents. We have also made our own traditions, like present scavenger hunts, dance parties, learning Norwegian songs and Grandma's "made up" songs.....Christmas Eve gets a little wild and silly sometimes!
I have spent Thanksgiving with the Gillespies for maybe five years now. The first year I had to work :( I love it! Depending on the year, you never know who will be there. Sadly, my sister-in-law and her BF will not be there this year. It may be a quiet, small Turkey Day. It's still a day with family who we love. One tradition that my Gillespie family has is to do a toast with champagne at the beginning of the meal. I remember when Mims came for Turkey Day in Moscow. Now, my husband does not like champagne, so what does he do? Yes, he chugs his glass of champagne...I have a classy husband my friends ;) When Mims (who adores champagne) came Will said, "Mims, watch this!" and chugged his glass. Funny man that one. I like that we pray and thank those who are fighting for our country, I like that we have the same foods each year, I like that we can all be together, I like that the men watch football and the women sit around and chat :) Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I still hang on to my family's traditions like watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. I love parades. Put that on my bucket list: attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and find Matt Lauer and give him the world's biggest hug!
This year is a year of new traditions. I will embrace and love each and every one. It's WAM's first holiday season as a married couple. We talked about what our Christmas Eve will consist of. Who knows, maybe I will attempt Grandma Goldie's ribs! They are bomb.com!!!! I look forward to having our own WAMily traditions. I look forward to my first Christmas in Moscow with my new family too!
Traditions are something sacred. They have a lot of meaning to families and to individuals. They have a lot of meaning to me. I will welcome new traditions and honor current traditions.
One thing I will miss this holiday season is Lefse...so if someone can mail me some, that'd be great!
*Side note...I sang something from Fiddler on the Roof one day and Will joined in. WTF?! He told me his mom loves this musical and he was forced to listen to it many times as a kid. One day I sang it in front of her and she had the same reaction :) We are a just a Fiddler on the Roof loving bunch I guess!
Today, traditions, I am thankful for you.
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