Clermont Traditions

One of the neat things about getting married is the traditions you start together for your life. Then you have kids and even MORE traditions are born. This year I started a lot of reflecting. I have so many sweet memories with my family. I love the things we share, especially during the holidays. What I also love is how even if you have the same tradition (hello pajamas) for each family it changes a little bit. The great part of having your own family is being able to come up with that unique edge. Are traditions center around events usually, since I'm a social butterfly and all. Holiday parties, performances - which every year is different, whether it be a sibling in High School choir or Michelle doing a dance show. And the look I sport are many many a sparkling tops. My signature holiday look! LOL

I start annual activities Thanksgiving, where I plan and cook the meal. The next day my Mom and I, (along with siblings at times) go shopping. We usually knock out most of the Christmas gifts that day, leaving the rest of the month to enjoy the holidays.
That weekend or the weekend before is the Domains lighting of the tree. Ben and I have gone every year, and now its a Clermont must.
We get a tree and spend time decorating it as a family.
Ben and I started our Christmas card picture tradition by taking our pic in front of the tree (which my Mom decided to adopt that year.)
Then there is Main Street Bethlehem that Ben introduced to me when we were engaged, I went with his family...and now its the time we get to see his Grandma during the holidays.
The girls always see Santa, and each year I frame all the Santa pics which I obsessively love!
My Mom's friend Kelly always has a Christmas party with the best food/deserts ever. Ben and I started going starting the year we got married. I started a new tradition of getting our picture taken in front of the white tree she has. Its a small thing but thats one of my favs since its something no one else does, its unique. (Only my Mom had to stand in for Ben this year..but I'll take it.)
Michelle and I make a gingerbread house on Christmas Eve and we go to Ihop with Ben's fam. Then we open PJs with my family and sleep over to spend Christmas day together! I love the holidays and the traditions our little family has!

A look through the years....funny how the girls grow so fast, Ben looks more dashing as the years past...and I take many many different forms! My goodness! Some years I'm knocked up, others I'm working the just had a baby tired look, and others