Christmas Traditions

In our home, the Christmas season is kicked off with a few family traditions...

#1- breakfast at our favorite cozy little restaurant in Chagrin Falls, Yours Truly

#2- from breakfast we head over to hunt for the perfect Christmas Tree

#3- for lunch we warm our bellies with Chris's homemade chili and cornbread

#4- then when little ones are asleep Chris and I (and whoever else we can recruit) string popcorn and cranberries for our Christmas tree while we watch a Christmas movie

This year our second child joined us in these traditions. Chris suited her up in the snugly, then zipped her warmly inside his coat. I think what I love the most about these traditions is the memory of unknowingly beginning them our 1st Christmas together as husband and wife. Only God knew that 4 years later, we'd be bringing home our Christmas tree to our house and organizing our lunch around nap and feeding schedules of two children. I know we've only been married for 4 1/2 years, but we've been married 4 1/2 years! It truly does feel like we blinked and we're here as parents praying by the minute for help raising these sweet (and at times, not so sweet) little ones. I wonder what the Lord will bring into our lives over the next four years of Christmas trees and popcorn strings :-)

Thanksgiving 2010

We had the pleasure of celebrating Thanksgiving as both a family of 3 AND a family of 4. A few days before Lillia was born we went to Chris's family's house to have an early Thanksgiving feast with them. Then on the actual Thanksgiving day our sweet friends, Curtis and Jess Penick, invited us over to share in their festivities. I must mention that Jess is a fantastic cook ---and I was completely amazed at her seemingly stress-free attitude towards the very daunting task of Thanksgiving dinner. Great Job, Jess!!

Thanksgiving at Mimi & Papa Harrington's...

All the grandkids making Reunion Rolls with Papa
It was amazing weather, so we let Matt open his Christmas gift early :-)

so sweet

And I have to include this next picture for Lillia when she's older... Here you are in my belly, just 1 week before we got to meet you---35weeks pregnant. We had no idea you would surprise us with your arrival in just 8 short days!!!

Thanksgiving at the Penicks...

Daddy and Mark making reunion rolls Thanksgiving morning

Here we are--- our family of four!!! :-)

Mark was empathizing with Mia the puppy-- usually he's the one being gated in!!

Curtis: practicing parenthood-- they are due to meet their first little one in just 8 short weeks!!!