Christmas Traditions

I am going to attempt to get my blog caught up over the next few days.  I thought about one long post, but I enjoyed Jessica's blog and her attempt at serving it up one piece in a time.  So I'll follow in her foot steps.

The weather has been seasonably warm so it just didn't seem like Christmas around here.  We had all of our decorations out and what not, but with out snow it just didn't feel very festive. Snow or no snow though, we carried on with our Christmas traditions.  First up- Christmas Utah!  About five years ago while driving home I stumpled upon this house while driving home from the grocery store.  I could just see part of the lights from the grocery store but  I could tell it was worth my time navigating the backstreets to find.  It was an amazing sight!  The Christmas lights are set to music, reindeer fly, Santa's waves in the window, the trees talk and tell jokes, bubble machines make bubbles and there are thousands of lights!  All you do is find a parking spot, tune your radio and sit back and enjoy.  We've been going every year since we found it.  Usually several times considering it's less than two miles away.   Sadly, this was going to be their last year.  So, I did take a little video to remember it. The girls at their age could take it or leave it, but the boys loved it!  We will be missing this tradition that's for sure!  

Growing up we always had Christmas Eve with the Hansen side of our family.  We celebrated it Danish style- Danish food, Ris ala mande (Rice Pudding), exchange gifts and the kids spend quality cousin time together!  Both my grandparents have passed on, but that doesn't stop me from carrying on this tradition. I host it every year. I have to admit, I have no idea how my grandma did it for 20+ cousins and 8 adults!!!  I am always so tired when it's all said and done, but greatful to have the oppurtunity for us all to get together.