'Twas The Night Before Christmas...

We just returned from the children's Christmas service at church. A mom in front of us said that she thought the boys behaved really well. Considering it was only their 3rd time in the big church, we were pretty proud!

Last year, I carried a 10 day old baby up the aisle to communion, and lots of heads turned at the cute little newborn. Today, I held the hand of a one year old boy. And again heads turned at the cute growing boy. Michael did a great job standing still at the rail for his blessing.

Before I sign off for today with my answers on a little Christmas poll, I want to say congratulations to our friends Rebecca and Tripp on the birth yesterday of their new baby girl! We are so excited for them, and can't wait to meet their newest addition!

And here are my answers -- consider yourselves tagged and add your answers too!

1.Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?? Hot Chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? This was a debate between Greg and I. He said that Santa wraps everything. I said NO WAY! So we compromised. Santa does not wrap the big stuff that we set out. But he does wrap the stuff in the stockings. Much of that is up to Greg this year though. I just don't have the time to wrap all those little things!

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White. I like the traditional look.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? I never have.

5. When do you put your decorations up? The First Sunday of Advent. And they stay up through Epiphany.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? I really don't have a favorite. We usually switch things up each year. I guess my popovers are always a hit.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: My dad always went downstairs first to make sure that Santa was gone. Then he would take a picture of all of us coming down the stairs. I also loved having various relatives come over for dinner. My parents believed in our family always being at home for the holidays (thank you Mom & Dad!), but others were always welcome to join us.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I honestly can't remember.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? NEVER!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? White lights, and lots of ornaments. Few if any balls. Can't stand them. No tinsel or garlands either. Blech. Picture your traditional German Christmas tree.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it!! But we don't see much of it around here!

12. Can you ice skate? Yep.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? A pair of hoop earrings that my sister gave me in 1991. I have worn them almost every day since.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Making it special for my boys, and remembering the REAL reason for Christmas.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Pretty much anything, especially with chocolate.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Probably just the memories that I talked about above. That and being at home on holidays. Carting the kids from here to there is no way to spend a holiday.

17. What tops your tree? An angel that I bought at the Marriott Headquarters gift shop in 1992.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Giving, especially to my boys.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? O Holy Night. But not the Michael Crawford version that is being played on the radio!

20. Candy Canes! yuck or yummy? Yum! Especially in hot chocolate!

21. Fave Christmas Movies? Charlie Brown's Christmas. And I think it is the best recitation of the Nativity Story around! (Of course it is just the story from Luke in KJ version!)