We have always gathered on Christmas Eve. In the past, it has been for snacks and family time. This year, our feast was to be held on the Eve, but aside from that, it was pretty well the same.
This was on and by the table as we consumed the turkey and the rest. Kind of nice, don't you think?
Another tradition that goes all of the way back to our kids being little is the kids opening a present on Christmas Eve. They always know what it will be — pajamas. And we always take a photo.
Of course, a newer tradition is to track Santa's progress from the Norad site.
Some years there are cats. Sid is one who is quite comfortable with lots of activity and hordes of people.
Another tradition is to leave cookies for Santa. JJ also decided to leave lots of notes. Not pictured, but another new tradition is putting out reindeer food. I don't think we needed this new tradition, but there we have it.
Christmas morning brought the usual fare of gifts and happiness. The cat was still very involved in the process.
JJ got a pair of those sneakers with wheels.
Yours truly makes one of his appearances on this blog with a toque and gloves of his favourite hockey team.
Of course, I could go on, but I promised to keep each post down to a moderate number of photos.
However, I will add this long clip just in case you have time on your hands. It is the story of The Shepherd that used to play a long time ago on Christmas Eve as we drove across province to be with family. We revived it on this Christmas Eve this year, and it took the place of me reading The Night Before Christmas.
The story is of a pilot lost on Christmas eve over the North Sea. His instruments fail as his fuel runs low. He is in great peril until he is guided to safety by a shepherding aircraft. But just who was this shepherd?
Someone has added photos to this narration by Al Maitland, the fellow who always narrated the story over CBC radio as we drove in the dark those many Christmases past. I think it best, however, to close you eyes and just listen.
What a nice tradition of getting a new pair of (Christmas) pj's each year. Mind you, by the time they are in their forties, their wardrobes will burst!
ReplyDeleteHappy 2017
Great story and great storytelling! Thank you for sharing and Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of your adorable kids and the Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWishing you and yours a Wonderful New Year!
PS: I will return to see the video of the story of The Shepherd.
we have always done the pj thing - now i do it for my great nieces. are these are your grandchildren, correct?? i LOVE lots of pictures (you may already know that - hehehe) for me, better than reading a lot!!
ReplyDeletelooks like it was fun - caring on with lots of traditions!!!
you were lucky to be able to spread the holidaying together over two days. I'm glad you had a wonderful time. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteYou have a number of nice and easy traditions. My son-in-law makes the traditions at my daughter's house so he is pretty stalwart in not letting us suggest anything too different! We still had a nice Christmas.
ReplyDeleteGolly, I always listen to Alan Maitland's reading of The Shepherd, it's a Christmas tradition for me. Always makes me cry a little bit. Good old CBC! My sons used to listen when they were younger but the pressures of children and visiting and Christmas in general have distracted them. They are building their own traditions for this time of year.
ReplyDeleteGreat stoy and a wonderful evening to share. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a joyous family Christmas!
ReplyDeleteFirst time hearing that story- I enjoyed it and would like to pretend it was true. I do like a good ghost story.
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