Monday, December 15, 2008

Christmas would not be Christmas without...


Bratton's Clam Chowder


Candlelight


the Carpenters Christmas album

This year: Talking to Russell in the Philippines


Sleigh Ride with the family Ensemble: Mom and me on piano, Chris on bells, Dad cracking the whip, Ben and Jax going "clip-clop," and the crazed horsie neigh at the end

Visiting friends to perform Sleigh Ride and drop off goodies


A Christmas Eve Program complete with old Styrofoam puppets of Mary and Joseph that have yarn for hair and dots for mouths

Dad narrating the Christmas story


Melt in your mouth Russian Teacakes

Cinnamon Roll "Tree" on Christmas Morning


Fudge, aka Fugue (in D minor)

Barbara Streisand singing "Jingle Bells" superfast


A real, fresh Christmas tree

Those glass icicle ornaments that I was obsessed with as a child


Going through my mom's pile of Christmas newsletters and photos

Christmas morning quiche from the neighbors


Apples and Oranges in our stockings, Little House on the Prairie-style

Sparkling Cider, in the fancy glasses mom keeps up high


Cold, wet weather

Opening one gift on Christmas Eve


A Trip to Powell's Bookstore (and probably Powell's Technical..eeh)

A Red nose on the "Made in Oregon" Stag downtown


More Christmas Duets, hymns and songs with mom

Christmas Day phone calls and Thank-Yous

The fabulous smell of new clothes


Last-minute shopping (the Higgins are notorious for this) and secretive late-night wrapping

Intense games of Boggle


Christmas Dinner that used to be ham but is now turkey because Ben vetoed ham

A little DDR to sweat off the Christmas calories


A walk with Dad, along the Salmon Creek Trail or to Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge

Being together as a family, sharing the love and feeling the spirit!


What do you do at Christmastime?

8 comments:

Hess Fam said...

I want to know if your Bratton's Clam Chowder is the same as my Braten dam Chowder? A definate fav of mine! An FHE must...soon.

Ang said...

I want to hear you guys sing Sleigh Ride! I especially want to hear that maniacal neigh at the end.

And styrofoam nativity puppets? Cool.

Last year Jonas asked, "Why does Santa keep on bringing us oranges??"

Tradition, dear boy!

Benjamin Higgins said...

yuk, ham!

go away ham!

nom nom turkey.

The Oregonians said...

Boy, you sure know how to make transplanted Oregonians long for Christmas in the Pacific NW.
We say "ditto" to everything on your list.
We think Ben realizes there's already enough "ham" in the family.
Wonder what Russell will be having?

Julie said...

My traditions are....the very same! Wouldn't have it any other way. I am starting to rock back and forth right now just thinking about playing the "Sleigh Ride" duet with you! XOXO
Maman

Sarah McM said...

I didn't know you opened a present on Christmas Eve. Friendship suspended again.

Partially unsuspended because sparkling cider is a major holiday tradition in my family, although I'm sure the Higgins don't go to the extreme excess of the Hunters. Let's just say we should all be glad it's non-alcoholic.

Michael McKinlay said...

Oh Julia, what a great list. I remember the red nose on the stag. This makes me very nostalgic. You will have a wonderful Pacific Northwest Christmas.

Joey/Denny/Emma said...

That was Denny in the last comment. You're probably wondering who Michael McKinlay is and why she's nostalgic. (She's our niece, Michael Ann, who was visiting today and apparently was on the computer...;)