Christmas Ornaments - A little piece of our family history

You might ask, "Why is there an underwear ornament on your Christmas tree?"  Or, one day, my kids might ask that question, or my grand kids might ask their dad why there is an underwear ornament hanging on their tree. (I'll tell you why at the end of this post...)

A few years ago when I was lying in a hospital bed being treated for blood clots in my lungs.  I realized, if I were to pass away, my kids wouldn't know the history behind the ornaments that were hanging up on our tree every year. (Obviously, that wasn't my main concern, but you have a lot of time to think when you are by yourself in a hospital room thinking you could have, or could die.) So, I decided that year I was going to record the history of every single ornament on our Christmas tree.  If it didn't mean anything to me, the ornament got tossed. It's taken a few years to finish every single ornament, but I can now say I have completed my task!

My kids receive a Christmas ornament from us every year.  You can see more about that tradition HERE and HERE.  We try to choose an ornament that kind of sums up their year, or if there was a big event in their life that year, I choose an ornament that goes along with that.  I started with recording the reason why I chose their ornament, but I needed to print them off and place them with the ornaments. 

Also, when I travel by myself, or we travel as a family we usually try to get a Christmas ornament as our souvenir. We began that on our honeymoon.  So, our Christmas tree is a bit of our family history. 

Another great reason to record a history, or a have a bag or box for each ornament, you know if there is one missing.  With a real tree, as the month goes on the branches start to sag and ornament slip off, or children move them, etc. At the end of putting up the tree if you have empty boxes or bags you know to keep looking for an ornament.  This happened to us this year.  We finally found it kind of towards the back of our tree.  It blended in, and had I not known it was missing, it would have been taken out to the street with the Christmas tree. 

Here are a few examples of how I have recorded the history of some of the ornaments:

1.  You can simply write the history on a piece of paper and slip it in a zip lock bag.  Some of them, I have taped on a zip lock bag. 

2. I prefer to type up most of the histories of each of my ornaments, but I was too lazy to get my laptop during some of this.

3. For ornaments that have boxes - I hot glued the history on the inside of the box lid, or packaged taped over the history on the outside of the box.

I feel so accomplished after having finished this yesterday! It only took a few years to fully complete, but we have a ton of ornaments.  I love that when I'm not around, my kids will know where the ornaments came from and know a bit of our family history. I have ornaments on my tree from John and I's childhood, our travels, ornaments my mom made, ornaments we were given as gifts, and ornaments from friends weddings.  I love that that is all recorded! 

That underwear ornament is Jonah's from the year he was potty trained.  The easiest kid to potty train by far, and he always just hung out in his underwear all year.  The Charleston ornament was from my first trip to Charleston with my sisters.  The paw print was Trevan's ornament this year from starting high school, it's his high school's mascot paw print. The Nutella ornament is also one I made for Everett because he was a Nutella monster.

Merry Christmas!

Full disclosure - We were late to church on Sunday, Bailee didn't even get her hair brushed. So, I made everyone stay in their church clothes after church until I did my hair and makeup, Bailee and Mallary's hair THEN took a picture.

‘Tis the time of year you can expect in your mail,

Greeting cards, pictures, and letters of tall tales –

Of grand adventures, and that straight ‘A’ kid,

And all of the fabulous things they did.

Well, friends, this is not one of those,

Just a little bit of our year written in prose.

I’ll do my best to keep this letter quite mild,

And, actually, for the first time, we don’t have a straight ‘A’ child.

After reading this sonnet of my angelic family,

I know it will be hard not to get a bit jelly.

For starters, we had to replace both of our vehicles this year.

One died, and the other totaled by someone drinking too much beer.

Luckily, John and the boys didn’t get hurt,

And, now we drive around a huge van that makes people smirk.

For his job, John finally passed his last big test.

Now he can have all those extra letters after his name that shows he’s the best??

I’m just excited I don’t have to be a spring widow one more year,

Him spending all spring studying again was something I feared.

Johnny on the wrong spot is still slow out of the gate,

Always running at least ten minutes late.

I knew John about nine years before I ever saw him angry,

But now with our kids, I get to see it on the daily.

To be honest, our kids drive us crazy, and we wonder if we’ll survive.

And, with our kids shenanigans, they’re lucky they’re still alive.

Well, I turned forty and my body went downhill

I had a basal cell carcinoma and tried to stay chill.

It also turns out, that the meds that keep me sane

Also dry out my mouth and cause my teeth pain.

I lost two pearly (off) whites, and there’s one more to go.

I mean, who needs teeth anyway? They’re just for show…

I keep trying to run again, but my body is crap,

Apparently, birthing giant children put my core out of whack.

Speaking of big babies – dear  Trevan, is my only child who behaves.

And, so his mother would no longer complain, his mustache he finally shaved.   

His voice has gone down quite a few octaves, and he texts members of the opposite sex,

He’s fifteen years old now, and questions if mother really knows best.  

Mallary gives stank faces often, and always rolls her eyes.

If my mom were living, I’d call her and apologize.

We have to beg her to shower - so not quite yet into boys,

She still begs for a phone and all other expensive toys.

Jonah is still me ray of sunshine, but not in real life. 

Because when we go to do something fun, he still gives us strife.

We’re going to Disney, a party, or headed to the shore,  

“I don’t want to go!” he complains, “It will be such a bore!”

Everett pees on the floor and makes my life a delight

I look forward to every afternoon and the homework fight.

He is always hungry, the kitchen he can’t avoid –

But, we just found out it’s because he has hypo thyroid.

My seven year old line backer is pushing one fifteen,

And now wearing the clothes of a much taller pre-teen.

Bailee is an angel most of the time,

But has learned from her siblings a few crimes.

My kids leave markers and pens all over the place,

Which we usually find after Bailee draws on her face.

Her favorite, by far, is now make up and lip stick,

And, she’s really good at laying it on pretty thick.

She still usually sleeps in our bed, and I really don’t mind-

Except when she’s strangling me from behind.

Our bed is usually full of children and laundry, with John nowhere in sight,

Because he falls asleep on the couch almost every night.

Speaking of laundry, it’s a full-time job keeping five kids clothed,

And picking clothes up off the bathroom floor, from where they de-robe.

Aside from the nonsense, we know we are blessed,

To have a home that contains such a mess.

For the yard that contains more mud than grass,

Littered with so many nerf bullets and broken toys we look like white trash.

For the nail polish stained carpet, and the holes in the walls.

For all of the murals, and a half million deflated balls.

For all of the laundry and Legos galore.

I guess we are grateful our lives aren’t a bore.

For our homeless looking children, and the fighting they do,

Even though I feel like somebody always smells like poo.

We know we’ve got so much to be thankful for,

But, mostly when they’re asleep, I adore them more.

For the record, John was worried you might not appreciate this pun,

I just rolled my eyes and said, “It’s all in good fun!”

Of course, we know that we are blessed,

But listing all the ridiculousness is just part of the jest.

Parenting is hard, it ain’t easy being a mom.

So, if you ever need to commiserate, I’ll just say, “Oh, preach on!”

But, alas, I digress… That is not why I am here –

To laugh at our kids or talk about reindeer.

I’m so grateful for this season, and the chance to remember,

Why we actually celebrate this time in December.

I’ve felt so much joy Christmas shopping for others,

My children, my friends, my husband, and brothers.

I walk through the stores with a chuckle – not from passing gas,

But, trying to think of a perfect gift that will cause them to laugh.

I find myself smiling while I shop,

I just love buying gifts, it makes my heart pop!

Why is this so? How could this be?

My bank account says, “Hey, this stuff isn’t free!”

But, I know why it’s just so much fun,

I’m not thinking about myself and what has to be done.

I’m not thinking about my worries or what’s making me sad,

I’m thinking of how I can make someone else glad.

And, I think that’s the magic, this season reminds,

That to really find joy is to forget our self and be kind.

We are reminded of the birth of the One who gave us the best gift,

Of eternal life, and our sad hearts He’ll lift.  

That our hearts can be filled with peace, love, and joy,

When we think of that first Christmas and the One baby boy.

That we find joy when we think of, and love one another,

Because, after all, we’re all sisters and brothers.

This Christmas, we wish you love, peace, joy and great cheer,

And that the feeling stays with you and us throughout next year.

Our traditional family party drink - Citrus Slush

This is just the slush, no soda has been added to this bowl yet.

My older sister introduced this recipe to my family, and it is usually served at any Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years gathering.  I started taking it to John's family Thanksgiving, and now it has been requested ever since.  I think it will be a big hit with your family too!


Citrus Slush Recipe

2 1/2 c. sugar
3 c. water
1 (12 oz.) can frozen orange juice
1 (12oz.) can frozen lemonade
1 (46 oz.) can pineapple juice
3 c. cold water
Sprite or 7-up


1. Bring sugar and 3 cups of water to a boil.  Remove from heat

2. Stir in juices.

3. Add 3 cups of cold water and freeze.

4. When ready to serve, remove frozen punch and allow to thaw until slushy.

5.  You can fill a punch bowl with some of the slush and add the soda.  Or, you can fill individual cups with the slush and add the soda to your own cup.

Christmas Scavenger Hunt Party

A while ago we decided to find another opportunity to wear our ugly Christmas sweaters (Haha!!) and we created the Hamilton Reindeer Games.  I wanted a way to get together with our friends but have them create some memories with their families at the same time.  Everyone is always busy on the weekends, so I decided to make it a Monday night Family Home Evening activity.

I blogged about our very first one HERE.  Not even kidding, it ended up being on the coldest day of the year.  But our hearts were warm...

You should totally do this with your friends and family and I'm going to make it easy for you and have included my invitations and score cards that I made for your reference.  I hope you do it and make some fun festive memories!!

Here are some invites:

One from another year:

And another year:

A. Luke 2

1.        And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

3.         And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

CLUE:  Address of a local Liberty Tax

CHALLENGE 1:  Pay a tax of one cookie to the person in this address to receive your next clue.

CHALLENGE 2:  Put a “tax” of any amount in any Salvation Army Bell Ringer Location

B.  Luke 2

4.        And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5.       To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 

6.       And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

CHALLENGE 1:  Find a pregnant woman and take a picture with her (10 extra points if she is wearing red or a Christmas sweater)

C.  Luke 2

7.        And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 

CHALLENGE 1:  Take a picture asking if there is any vacancy at any Inn/Hotel/Motel

BONUS CHALLENGE:  Serenade Front Desk with the song, Away in a Manger

D.  Luke 2

8.        And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9.       And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were sore afraid. 

CLUE:  Go to this address and look under the sheep for your next clue:  I sent everyone to a widower’s home and hid the clue in his manger scene under the shepherds.

CHALLENGE 1:  Carol at that address

CHALLENGE 2:  SING ANY CHRISTMAS SONG THAT HAS THE WORD, ‘ANGEL,’ OR ‘SHEPERD’ IN IT.

E.  Luke 2

10.    And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 

11.   For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12.   And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13.   And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14.   Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15.   And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which is the Lord hath made known unto us.

CHALLENGE 1:  How many angels can you find on Christmas Drive in the north pole? (I sent them to a community with a lot of blow up Christmas decorations and such. 

CHALLENGE 2: Take a picture with the majority of your family wrapped in a blanket. 

CHALLENGE 3:  Find a peace sign, take a picture with it

F.  Luke 2

16.    And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17.   And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18.   And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 

19.   But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

20.   And the shepherd returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.   

CHALLENGE 1: Find a shepherd, take a picture with it.

CHALLENGE 2:  Find a heart, take a picture with it.

CHALLENGE 3:  How many nativities are in that same community as above?

G.  Matthew 2

1.        Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.

2.       Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 

      Matthew 2

7.  Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 

8.  And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 

9.  When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 

CHALLENGE:  Take a Picture with any star decoration

BONUS CHALLENGE:  10 Extra points if the star is lit up in some way.

SUPER BONUS CHALLENGE:  Have three people put on Burger King crowns and take a picture

H.  Matthew 2

10.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Matthew 2

11. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 

CLUE:  Look under the sack of gifts at this address for your next clue:  Pick an address of people you know that have some kind of gifts decorations in their yard.

CHALLENGE 1: Take a video showing your family rejoicing with exceeding great joy.

CHALLENGE 2:   Deliver your gift of a plate of cookies to anyone you choose.

I.  Matthew 2

12.  And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 

CLUE:  Depart to where the party is!

CHALLENGE 1:  Sing Christmas songs in your vehicle the entire way to this address.