Our 2006 Christmas
We arrived home from our trip to Pennsylvania on the 8th of December. I felt quite prepared for Christmas as I had our Christmas picture already taken, I had finally been inspired to write our annual newsletter and gifts were purchased. But then I decided I should get a program that could print addresses on our Christmas envelopes.
I found an address program on the Internet from AllPro Software for $29.99 and was able to download it right then. But then I had to enter in all the addresses. This took me about a day to do. By the way, this is a really great program. I recommend it. They also offer a Free Trial, if you’re interested.
After the Christmas letter and pictures were mailed I then got started making a personalized calendar for my mom and dad. (Costco.com offered this during the holidays.) This took me about 20 hours to complete. Oh boy, was I ever relieved when I finished.
The children were trying to do their schoolwork but without mom to keep an eye on things they weren’t quite as diligent about completing things.
Then the children decided to buy Christmas gifts too, so back to the store we went.
Finally, all was done.
We had our Christmas on Friday the 22nd. My parents had arrived the night before so they were here with us. I woke everyone to Christmas carols. While hubby got the cameras ready, the kids got dressed and we set the table with my China for breakfast.
Our Christmas morning breakfast menu consisted of Chilled Fruit Soup, a Goat Cheese and Herb Skillet Soufflé, Toast and Lemon Tea Bars, made by ZJ. I did forget to heat the Lil Smokies Beef Links.L
Another little tradition I have started around here is to take our Christmas picture and give one to each child. I write on the back good character traits I see working in their lives and just take the time to tell them how much we love and appreciate them. I have these in envelopes at each child’s place setting.
We had a wonderful morning. That afternoon we packed up and headed to Tucson where we spent a week with my sister and her family.
And now I’ll leave you with part of our Christmas newsletter that I wrote.
Is taking your family photo a time-consuming, slow, wearying, exhausting and irksome task? Here’s what it’s like getting a family picture at our house.
First we must find clothing that somewhat coordinates. Then we need a good setting for the picture; of course if you’re taking it outside you must be sure the sunlight is not behind the family, shining so brightly that all you get is silhouettes, and if you have the sun in your face… well, you know what you’re dealing with then – squinty eyes and wrinkled-up faces all while trying to smile and look completely natural.
So say you get all these problems worked out, what next? You start ripping out your hair because now you’re dealing with six kids who can’t all seem to look in one direction at the same time, who decide it would be an excellent time to start poking the person’s ribs in front of them, with maybe a pinch or two thrown in, and in between the self-timed shots, start dancing around like madmen trying to stay warm since we put off this family photo session until 3 weeks before Christmas. (Digital cameras and that little button that deletes are just the greatest.)
And finally when you do get a picture that turns out remotely decent you call it quits and count your blessings that this only happens once a year!