Christmas
It's been decided. Stephen and I are going to Minnesota for Christmas. This will be my first Christmas without my family, and my second (that I remember) away from Delaware. (others would be my 1st and 2nd Christmases in Texas)
This will definitely be one of the harder things for me. I've always enjoyed my family's Christmas traditions. Our stockings are hid, for instance. That has been something I've enjoyed throughout my childhood. It makes the stockings more than just "something before santa presents" We still go down as a family on Christmas morning, and my dad still makes his obnoxious comments about not peaking at the Santa presents (they aren't wrapped) as we go to the room the stockings are hidden.
A major reason for the decision to go to Stephen's family is that his parents will most likely not be around for the Christmas of 2007. No, they won't be dead. They'll be on a church mission. This has been a great influence to many of the siblings here in Utah and so, most of us will be out in Minnesota this Christmas. (there are 5 kids in Utah and 4 in Minnesota)
Ultimately, I don't plan on traveling for Christmas. I want to develop our own traditions. Besides... carrying presents cross-country is just not fun. period.
Here's to the start of many compromises between two families that are 1500 miles apart.
This will definitely be one of the harder things for me. I've always enjoyed my family's Christmas traditions. Our stockings are hid, for instance. That has been something I've enjoyed throughout my childhood. It makes the stockings more than just "something before santa presents" We still go down as a family on Christmas morning, and my dad still makes his obnoxious comments about not peaking at the Santa presents (they aren't wrapped) as we go to the room the stockings are hidden.
A major reason for the decision to go to Stephen's family is that his parents will most likely not be around for the Christmas of 2007. No, they won't be dead. They'll be on a church mission. This has been a great influence to many of the siblings here in Utah and so, most of us will be out in Minnesota this Christmas. (there are 5 kids in Utah and 4 in Minnesota)
Ultimately, I don't plan on traveling for Christmas. I want to develop our own traditions. Besides... carrying presents cross-country is just not fun. period.
Here's to the start of many compromises between two families that are 1500 miles apart.