The Day After Christmas

Usually for people the day after Christmas seems to  be a let-down.  Not here at the Craig house.  We were up preparing for a special day after lunch with Grandpa Craig and Brianna.  It was a fun time to talk and laugh and share.  Grandpa seemed pretty good most of the time.  I know holidays must be hard for him without mom, but he goes on day by day.

I finally had time to upload phone photos to my laptop.  I've been taking pictures of things and not doing anything with them.

When we decorated for Christmas we found this cute letter from Sarah when she was in first grade.  So it was 10 years ago.  Love finding things like this.  It shows the innocence and love of the age.

 This gumdrop tree is new but not a new tradition.  We've carried out a tradition that started in the Porto House of years gone by.  We always had a gumdrop tree at home before the holidays.  Not sure how many pounds of candy we went through, but with 7 kids I'm sure it was a lot! LOL  I brought this tradition to our Craig Family Christmas and the kids loved it so much Sarah asked me to make sure we had one for this year again.  The one we had broke when it got stored in the attic.  So now I know where to get another one if I need it, Taylor Gifts.

Sarah and all of us have fallen in love with little Phoebe.  She's about 4 months old and is the cutest little thing.  Sarah has a true love of her and holds her any chance she gets.

 This is out tree Christmas morning.  We didn't open gifts until Christmas afternoon, which was weird.  That's when Ben and Rachel could be here so that's what we did.  Those popcorn tins are a traditional gift.  One year I told Sarah I thought I wouldn't get them that they were getting older and probably were tired of them.  She said, "No Mom, we still love getting them." So there were under the tree this year.  Now Rachel is a part of the family so she got her own can.

Today was the first day Phoebe saw the fish in Tim's fish tank in our family room.  It was so much fun watching her.  Rachel eventually put Phoebe on her own chair so she could watch them.  

Tonight Ben, Sarah, Rachel and their friend Sarah went to Friendly's for dinner and ice cream.  It is something they did many times after Wednesday Nights at church.  They wanted to do that again for old times sake.  Fun to see that they have their own traditions that they go back to. :)

I love to hear laughing and talking again.  With Sarah here alone it's very quiet.  I don't know what I'll do when Sarah leaves home.  I might have to make a lot of noise so it's not so quiet.

Blessing of the Day: Having Grandpa Craig and Brianna here for lunch.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,