Sunday, December 2, 2007

Holiday Traditions

Let me start this post with Thanksgiving.
I am thankful that we have had another year to gather together (to ask the Lords blessings) sorry I just couldn't help myself.
We did gather together at my in-laws on Thanksgiving day this year. Last year we were at my parents. The boys really liked having both sets of grandparents with them at one time. I hope this is the start of a Thanksgiving tradition, having everyone together in one place. We are not a huge family, but we are a very fortunate one. We are all in generally good health and we all get along well.
This year we even added a few people that were not with us last year. My stepson, Bill, his wife and stepson were there. YEAH!

My mother-in-laws sister, Catherine, who lives in Cincinnati and Catherine's daughter, Carol, who lives in Oklahoma, were also with us.

I took a few photos but the one I want to share is of Roger with all the boys.

They are left to right: Tyler, Cory, Roger, Bill, and Jason. Are they the best looking group of men you have ever seen? I think so..........

Last night Jason and I took Claire and Bailey to the Christmas Parade here in Lexington. This is the third year in a row that I have taken Claire to the parade. I hope she has good memories in adulthood of our annual tradition. This is the "girls" waiting for the parade to start: Bailey, me and Claire. Notice the knitted hat and scarf? I knit them last winter and waited for a cold spell to wear them. Although Claire's mommy, and my best friend, Diane, wanted to know where my big furry hat was. She had bet that I would have it on when I picked up Claire. Sorry to disappoint but I had to wear something I knit.

Here are Jason and the girls just as the parade starts.

One tradition that only began last year is to get a photo of Jason that includes his idol, Ronald McDonald. Here is this years picture:
For comparison last years picture:

As you may have noticed (because I know my readers are a bright bunch) it was daytime last year and nighttime this year. This is the first time the Lexington Christmas Parade was held after dark. I liked it very much, the lights in the parade really made it memorable for me. The crowds were definitely larger than the past few years and the tree lighting was included in the nights festivities. I had never taken the time to attend the tree lighting and I enjoyed it very much last night. The Lexington Singers performed as did dancers from Town and Village. Santa was there and there were fireworks after the tree was lit. Very festive indeed!The girls were totally impressed with the tree, its size and the size of the decorations.

Even big girls like to look up at big trees. Especially beautifully lit Christmas trees.