Holidays and Traditions

Ellie's 2nd Birthday was Sofia the First themed.

BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays are a big deal around our house.  Not so much the party as it is the feeling of the day.  We want to do all "the favorites" for that person, so they feel extra special:  favorite foods, favorite restaurant, favorite games, favorite people, and usually in Ellie's case favorite movie-themed party.  Dessert and family/friends are also a must!  We just try to make it fun and special.

Dave loves birthday sushi.

I love all things breakfast-food!

HALLOWEEN
Holidays are our favorite!  We love to go ALL-OUT for Halloween!  We pick themed costumes and then go to as many parties as we can, just so we can dress up again.  Maybe it is because I am a teacher, but we really get into it!  Last year we were The Crocodile Hunter and their kangaroo, which was our absolute favorite!

Our First Year:  Farmers and their little chicken.

CHRISTMAS

We have so many traditions for Christmas that we love.  We start decorating in November and put up our tree.  We have count-downs and such, but we mainly focus on serving others.  We feel like it is a season of giving.  So we bake cookies and give them to people, sing carols, visit widows in our neighborhood, and try really hard to teach our kids the true meaning of Christmas.  On Christmas Eve, we eat finger-foods, and play games all night.  White Elephant Bingo is our favorite game.  On Christmas morning, we open presents and eat my mom's famous gigantic cinnamon roll.  We relax all day and enjoy each other's company.  Then we have a nice Christmas dinner together.  Lots of family and lots of kids running everywhere, just as it should be!

Hanging out, playing games, and talking.

Lots of kids playing around.

VALENTINE'S DAY
We try to focus on expressing the things we love about each other.  We start on February 1st, and tape a new heart on the bedroom door every day that says a new thing that we love about that person.  By Valentine's Day, everyone has 14 hearts.  Then I also make everyone a giant heart-shaped chocolate chip cookie and sometimes put out a little present with it.  It's a fun little tradition!

EASTER

We love a good Easter Egg Hunt!  Especially if it is with cousins.  Ellie got really into it this year, which made it super fun!  Our favorite hunt is the one we do in our own backyard, where the eggs are actually hidden.  We also love doing a Easter Basket in the morning and a nice family dinner at night.