12 Days of Christmas – The Family

Christmas Tree decorating ideas

Welcome to Day 6 of my 12 Days of Christmas posts. Today I’m looking back at some of favorite Christmas memories with family. I’m also tossing in this picture of my Christmas tree. It’s the last live tree that I purchased. I switched to an artificial tree this year, and I’m having mixed emotions.  I love the look and smell of a live tree.  The Douglas Fir was my favorite, unfortunately they’re work with set-up, constant watering and disposal. I’ve had a live tree for 30 years, it’s like losing a friend.  It’s also the last year for the ornaments on this tree. I purchased new ornaments this year with a new color theme. I love the ornaments, but will I go back to a live tree?  Stay tuned for next year’s post of the 2015 Christmas tree. 

This picture still brings me to tears.  This is me holding Zarriah her first Christmas. This was an emotional day for me.  She was a preemie, weighing in at 2lbs. and 10 ounces when she entered this world.  She fought for her life for 3 months, so it was a joy and a blessing having her home for Christmas. She is truly our miracle baby, and she’s still a fighter.  
White Christmas
A white Christmas.  Although we ended up with a foot of snow that year, there is nothing more beautiful than a white Christmas, that’s if you’re staying home.    

To me, Christmas is about the time we spend with family and friends.  It’s a magical time for children.  This is a picture of my nephew and a family friend’s daughter.  They were in awe of the moving Santa.  
I love this picture, of Xavier’s grandfather reading to him Christmas morning.  It was an exciting morning, he fall asleep shortly thereafter.  Such a precious moment.  

This is a family friend’s daughter dancing to Beyonce’s All the Single Ladies at one of my parties. She was working it.  Every time I heard that song, I think about her. Too funny. 

White Christmas
This Christmas, I got snowed in at my daughter’s in Virginia Beach. We’re used to snow back home, but an inch will shut a beach town down.  Six inches will completely immobilize it and it did. My daughter and SIL had no shovel or scrapers, and the city had no salt or sand. We used gift boxes to clean off the cars. Trying to make it home was a nightmare, it’s a 5 hour drive home. I never saw a snowplow come through the neighborhood the entire time I was there. I had to get back to work, so I slide my way out. It was amazing, even the emergency responders were unprepared. I watched cops run off the road in route to assist others. If I ever get snowed in again, I’ll just stay put until it all melts. My stress level went to new heights that Christmas.    
This Christmas we also celebrated my son-in-law’s birthday, which is January 3.  My grandson took over the cake and the party. I guess this is why it’s no fun having your birthday during the holiday season.  
Last, but not least my Zarriah learning to walk with the help of her new baby and stroller. I was so excited.  She is truly a miracle and this was a Christmas blessing.  
I have hundreds of other memories that I can share, but these are some of the most memorable. Stay tuned to Day 7 of my posts.  What are some of your favorite holiday memories?    

Virginia Beach Parade of Lights


!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?’http’:’https’;if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+’://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js’;fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, ‘script’, ‘twitter-wjs’);

                                                                         

Virginia Beach Parade of Lights

Live in the Hampton Roads area?  If you do, please add the Virginia Beach Parade of Lights to your list holiday activities.  I’ve decided to make it annual trip for my family, it’s such a wonderful sight to see.   It’s a great family outing if you’re in the area and want to entertain the children for an hour or two.  They have more than 250 animated light displays and 100,000 plus visitors to view them annually.  




                                      parade of lights



It’s the only time of year that cars are allowed on the boardwalk.  You can order hot chocolate, popcorn and hot dogs for your trip or bring your own goodies to munch on while you watch the show.  Each car is provided a free CD of holiday music to get you in the mood as you cruise.  You can drive at your own pace and hop out for a picture or two.  The Parade of Lights is sponsored by McDonald’s.  Approximately 30,000 cars make the trip each year. There are displays to be enjoyed by everybody.  Drive slowly, you’ll find displays on both sides and in front of you. 



                                       things to do in Virginia Beach





You can find fish jumping out of the ocean, dinosaurs, Santa, soldiers and the list goes on.  I look forward to seeing these great displays, but most importantly I look forward to seeing my grandchildren in awe of the lights.  Isn’t that what Christmas is about?  The excitement and the looks on little faces.  We’ll be taking Zarriah for the first time this year.  She’s enjoying the lights on the Christmas tree, I’m sure she will enjoy the displays as well.  I’m getting excited myself.  I love bringing joy to my grandchildren.   





The lights will be on display until Wednesday, January 01, 2014.  The event has been named American Bus Association’s “Top 100 Events in North America”!  Our family likes to go on Christmas Eve if we have Santa’s cookies baked.  Otherwise, we head out Christmas evening.  Mark your calendar this year.  Your kids will love it.    


Christmas Tree Brownies

treebrownies
Christmas tree brownies.  What a great idea.  You’ll need one box of brownie mix, candy cane sticks, green gel icing, and peppermint M & M’s.
1. Bake the brownies according to the box.
2. After brownies have cooled, cut into triangle, tree shape with a steak knife.
3. Break off the curve of the candy cane, and stick the candy cane stick at bottom of brownies for the tree stem.
4. Apply icing and place M & M’s on brownie.
Here are the Christmas tree brownies made by my 5 year old grandson and his 4 year old cousin.  Sorry about the glare, the picture was taken with my cell phone.  They had a great time spreading the icing and trimming the trees.  I used the colorful  milk chocolate M & Ms instead of the peppermint.  Making these treats is a great way to occupy children who are anxiously waiting for Santa.  My grandson was leary of leaving brownies for Santa, but I can assure you Santa will enjoy them.

What treats did you make for Santa?  Please leave us a comment, we may want to adopt your idea for Santa next year. 

Christmas At The Beach

I love making memories with my grandson.  This past week we visited the Winter Wonderland and the Lights on the Beach in Virginia Beach, VA.  I had hoped to walk along the boardwalk with Xavier, but the setup only allowed you to drive along the boardwalk.  It worked out perfectly, since the evening was quite chilly.  

The light show was fantastic.  The displays arranged from the drummer shown above to fish jumping from the sea.  Ronald McDonald was on hand, Snoopy, a beautiful carousel and a nativity scene.  Dinosaurs, boats, and horses could be found along the beach.  Xavier was quite excited by the lights, and so was I. What a way to start the holiday season. I loved the fact that you could drive the boardwalk at your leisure.  Nobody was honking horns hurrying people along, everyone was enjoying the scenery and just taking their time.  You could place an order for coffee or hot chocolate before you started your journey, which was brought to your car.  You were also given a CD of holiday music to play while you drove the 30 blocks.  It was a great set-up, and I intend to make the Lights on the Beach an annual outting for Xavier and Mama.       

 
My neighbor had seen the show last year with her daughter, and she assured me that I would not be disappointed.  She was right.  Each year the merchants add new displays. I can’t wait to see the show next year.  There was truly alot of time and effort put into the show.      

If you’re in the Virginia Beach area during the holiday it is worth the trip.  Your children will never forget the lights and they will love you for it making a great memory for them.  I can’t wait to make a scrapbook of my week-end with Xavier.  No show is ever the same, so this adventure will certainly go to the top of my list of things to do during the holidays, and I recommend that you add it to your list too.  Leave us a comment and let us know how you’re getting into the Christmas spirit with your children this holiday season.  We would love to know what’s happening in your area.