Christmas Eve 2007....Traditions

This was a very different Christmas Eve for Johnny and me. We actually had a Christmas Date. After the wonderful Christmas Eve service, Johnny and I had a great Italian dinner together then went to the movies. It was a great time for the two of us. We really enjoyed being together. Christmas Eve has changed for us throughout the years. It was always a real treat for me as a child to look forward to spending Christmas Eve at my grandmother's house, exchanging gifts with the large family then heading home in the backseat of the car always looking in the sky hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa on his way to my house. When the grandparents are gone, things really begin to change. It is then time to make new traditions with the family. Ours changed when we began to have Christmas Eve services at Woodstock not going to Wilmington as often during the Christmas holidays. It was then a chance for Mom and Dad to come to Woodstock to visit us which did happen on occasion. Then, came Xtreme, meaning we all head for Gatlinburg on Christmas Day or the day after. (You will hear about that soon!) As a parent with grown children the time comes for their traditions to begin for their families as well, which means sharing our children with the other parents! That is not so easy! However, it is a necessary thing to do. It is a part of having a growing family. So....new traditions must begin for Johnny and me. For the last two years, we have had our family time on Dec. 23rd which has worked out well and we had a great time as a family, as always. Christmas Eve for Hollie and Pete is spent with his parents, the Hixsons and Deanna and Jake spend Christmas Eve with Jake's parents, the Carswells. Then on Christmas Day everyone, including the Carswells, all gather at our house for a delicious Christmas Day Lunch, provided by a great friend that I will tell you about next! Will our new tradition be a nice dinner and movie on Christmas Eve? We'll see as the years roll around. Stay tuned! Christmas Eve will be here again before we know it! Regardless, Christmas Eve can always be great if you are celebrating with someone you love as much as I love my wonderful husband, Johnny.

Christmas Eve 2007

Katie, our eldest granddaughter is really growing up. She is now 9 years old and in the fourth grade at Cherokee Christian School. Such a real sweet dollbaby and we are so very proud of her.

She is nothing less that a pure delight to her Mimom and Papa.