Chriiiiis-mas Chriiiiisss-mas tiiieeem is heeeeere. . .

Ah yes, its beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Only a few more days. The mall is open later, lights have appeared on houses in the neighborhood, nativity scenes are cropping up. Santa Clause makes an appearance here and there, and Christmas music is everywhere. For me personally there are just certain things that represent the Christmas season. Some are fun, some stupid, some nostalgic, and most are memories of Christmas from my childhood that I think about every year. I'll give a few.
1. Alvin, Simon and Theodore - the singing Chipmunks.
2. Charlie Brown Christmas tv special
3. Christmas Cookies - Shannon's are the best. Especially that heart shaped one with icing in the middle - melts in your mouth!!
4. Miracle on 34th Street
5. Macy's thanksgiving day parade
6. The annual church choir's Christmas Cantata/Musical
7. Mom's broccoli casserole, vegetable casserole, sweet potato casserole and pretzel/jello salad.
8. Aunt Vic's chicken and dumplins
9. The nightly news on Christmas Eve and the satellite picture of Santa Clause making his way around the world during the weather broadcast.
10. Dirty Santa game Aunt Julie introduced a couple years ago.
11. That old fake Christmas tree with the great big lights and glass ornaments mimi and poppy had when I was a little kid.
12. A roaring fire in Aunt Vic and Uncle Nelson's fireplace when the whole family gets together on Christmas Day.
13. Wishing it would snow the whole month of December.
14. The look on Drew and Daniel's faces when they open their presents.
15. When we were kids, Kyle and Jace calling each other on Christmas telling each other what they got.
16. Dad remembering footprints around the fireplace that "Santa Clause" made with his boots (placed there by grampa) when he was a kid.
17. Laying in bed on Christmas Eve wondering how Santa was going to get into my house when we didn't have a chimney.
18. Green pistachio salad
19. Having to wait until January or February to get together with Mom's side of the family because of scheduling conflicts.
20. Fond memories of grandparents - Mimi and Poppy (Brookport), Mimi Peggy, Poppy Ralph -- -- and kinda still missing them.
21. Aunt Charlotte always getting me, Kyle and Joel a shirt for Christmas. Mine was always one size larger.
22. Listening to Christmas music while we put up the tree.
23. Christmas morning just after opening gifts, looking around and wondering how I am so blessed to be with the one's I love the most during this time of year . . with both my original and my new family.