Christmas Memories Post 2

My most favorite Christmas of all was Tyler Dan's first Christmas. He was eleven months old and we were able to go out to West Texas and spend some time with my dad's side of the family. It snowed, which I was completely ecstatic about, and Ty took his first steps in my grandparent's living room. We had my little black and white cocker spaniel Raider, and I had this little red and white sweater that I put on him when he went out in the snow...it was super cute. That was also the Christmas that we went to the Christmas Eve Candlelight service at the Methodist Church and then went and sang Christmas Carols at the nursing home where my great-grandmother was staying.

I have a lot of great pictures from that Christmas -- one that makes me smile is the one of all of us sitting in the living room, opening presents, and Ty and Raider are in the floor playing. Ty is trying to eat Raider's new bone, my Papa was in his chair, wearing his red "Christmas Shirt", my Mimi had on a fabulous green outfit with a Christmas tree on it -- she looked very pretty and stylish as she always did. My aunts, uncles & cousins were sitting around, laughing, smiling & everyone was healthy and happy. There was a ton of great food in the kitchen & peanut brittle in the Christmas tree cookie jar. It was just really a great time.

When we got back, we had Christmas with my sister and her husband. That was when Ty got his "Teddy" -- the brown stuffed bear that he slept with til he was about 8 or 9, and took every where he went.  I made homemade dog treats for Raider, my sister's dog Missy, and my dad's shop dog Brown Dog --- that was a lot of fun & something that I haven't done since, though I do not know why. Maybe Maggie Mae will get some this Christmas!

Now, all these years later, our family has changed in so many ways, so I am glad that I have that memory. I believe it's what the holidays are all about -- making memories to look back on and being with family. Again, as always, I thank God for all my family and that I have the blessing of knowing that I am loved. A lot of people don't have that -- I am very lucky!!