A Holiday Tree

On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Ryan and I went up to the mountains to cut our tree. This is our first tree in our new house because last year we had three little kittens to deal with...not a good mix with sparkling lights and ornaments. We drove up past Feather Falls with Myles & Kristina & "B" and attempted to find the "perfect" tree. Of course, finding the "perfect" tree is much easier said than done and requires more than a little hiking (my part) and cutting (Ryan's part).

Christmas is a difficult holiday for me. As a child, I was raised JW and never celebrated Christmas. I never felt deprived, but I don't have those childhood memories of lighting the tree, writing letters to Santa, and waking up Christmas morning to a slough of presents. It still feels like a brand new experience to me. I often have internal struggles over what Christmas really means to me because of the differences in what I was taught to believe growing up, what other people believe, and what I think I believe now.

I don't celebrate Christmas as a celebration of Jesus' birth or some other significant religious experience. I celebrate it because it is a good excuse to get the family together for some good food and quality time together. Gifts are shared to show our appreciation for one another and to celebrate the end of another year together. So much happens in a year, Christmas is a nice time to sit back and reflect...on accomplishments, goals, good events and bad, big things and small. Often, we all have time off of work together and can really sit back and relax. I love to decorate for the holidays, simply for the excuse of putting up sparkly twinkling things like lights and ornaments. If it were up to me, my house would be filled with twinkle lights year round (unfortunately, I don't think the tree would last that long).Ryan and I have cut our own tree every year since we've been together (except for last year, of course). It really would be easier to go buy a tree from a lot, or to buy a fake tree, but it just isn't the same experience as tromping through the woods trying to pick the best one. In past years we have waited until closer to Christmas and had to hike/drive in the snow. While we normally welcome a snow trip anytime...dragging a tree through the snow isn't so much fun. This year, we decided to go up right after Thanksgiving before the first snowfall. This made it so much easier and will probably become our tradition from now on.

So, cheers to Christmas, and any other holiday that brings my family closer together. In my ideal world, we would get together more often and for no reason at all, but for the time being, the holidays will be more than enough.

Thanksgiving Weekend Continued

On Saturday, the fam came up to our house for some outdoor fun. The weather was warm and beautiful, and we all had a great time. What more could a kid ask for than water...

...dirt... ...and a truck?

Wait, this one doesn't look like a kid! No, that is my husband. Pretty cool, isn't he? Here he is testing out the new track he built. I think he rode this quad more than he rode the big one. Guess I know what to get him for Christmas. I really enjoyed having my family up at my house. After all, what good are six acres if you can't share them. I'm looking forward to hosting Thanksgiving someday, preferably when I have a working oven and a house with solid floors. We don't want anyone falling through!

I love my family :) and I can't wait until we can do this all again next year.

Thanksgiving 2008

I consider this past Thanksgiving Weekend to be the best I've ever had, at least the best in a very long time. This year, Ryan and I had dinner at my mom and dad's house. For the past several years I have had to settle for leftover turkey, or a "special" dinner prepared by my mom on Friday - frankly, it just isn't the same as turkey fresh from the oven. Never one to disappoint, my mom prepared the Perfect Turkey: juicy, flavorful, mouthwatering...the picture doesn't do it justice. This turkey cannot be fully appreciated unless you taste it, but at this point, I am unable to offer samples of it from this blog. If you want to try it yourself, go here. The recipe is a bit involved, but the final result makes all the effort worthwhile.Other than perfect turkey, I also enjoyed just spending time with my family...all the loud, obnoxious, constantly interrupting people that I love. We played a new game called Mad Gab, which is the perfect game for us loud mouths. At least it was fun for those of us who know how to have fun (no fun nazi's not allowed). We also had some pretty tough Guitar Hero competition, though first prize goes to "B" who kicked all of our butts. I don't even know how your fingers can move that fast. I feel really thankful this year (begin playing sappy background music here). It was nice to be exhausted from eating too much food and having too many laughs...if such things really exist. Poor Bubbies didn't even make it to dinner time before crashing on the couch...just too much fun for the little guy.

Most of all, I'm thankful for my husband. Sorry to gross you out Aunty Jenny, but I still like him and can't help the occasional PDA. I am looking forward to many future Thanksgivings together.

My family is a bit unique, pretty crazy, and freakishly LOUD, I think most people would be scared of us. My heart goes out to you babe...you have adjusted to us very nicely over the past few years. I adore Ryan's family as well, but it is definitely a different family experience with the Edwards'...much more calm, quiet, and subdued...people can actually hear one another when they're having a conversation. I know some of you are saying, "I wonder what that's like?" and still others are saying, "What's the fun in hearing one another? Isn't the whole point just to be the loudest?" That's why I love you guys!! I have hope that we may eventually convert Ryan to being just as loud and crazy as we are.

Thanksgiving Weekend to be continued...