Sunday, December 9, 2012

The Traditions Continue

Each year during the Christmas season we have our traditional "things" that we do.  The traditional gatherings that make the season feel special.  The downtown "Holiday" parade...We wouldn't want to put the "Christmas" label on that....unfortunately...Sorry, I digress.. I usually start the season by going to the craft show I blogged about in November. Then it's the Church Christmas broadcast from Salt Lake. Friday night it was our annual Christmas Ward (previously, Branch) social. It was different this year because of our membership growth we couldn't hold it at the Church...just too small.  So we had it at an Elementary school where a few of our members work.  My kiddos went to that school and it holds many memories of other traditional functions of the season.  Many concerts were attended by us when our boys were little. Room mother assignments for parties and basketball games too. But in a short time from now this old...really old..school will be abandoned for a shiney new one that our town passed a levy to get..along with a new middle school. All really necessary changes. But I'm not that fond of change. I like the comfort of "usual".  I'm still trying to get used to going to Church and not knowing everyone and their kin that are sitting around me. I'll be sad when the schools are empty and the former soccer field by our old home will hold a building instead of soccer nets.....  The junior high has the big auditorium where the high school has it's plays and concerts. My favorite memory is going there for a "Holiday" concert and bats started flying all over the place while the kids were singing "Silent Night"...not very reverent, but very memorable! Another reason why we need these new schools.  New traditions will be made. We'll have church socials that will be different from the old ones...but they'll be good too. They will be the start of other peoples traditions...and memories. Time moves on and we must too. Next weekend one of my favorite traditions will take Jack and I back to Chicago and my family Christmas gathering. We'll see everyone, exchange silly "white elephant" gifts, eat too much, laugh too loudly, and enjoy the days with my Mom. I know we won't always have everyone there.  My Sister's son Jono passed away in 2004, a few weeks after Christmas that year. We never would have guessed the younger generation would not always be there.  So I guess we need to treasure each tradition and enjoy the memories. I think that's why I take so many pictures. I want to preserve and stop time...just for a second. I want to be able to reflect and to remember the good times more than the bad ones.  I want my Grandkiddos to remeber YaYa always asking them to smile and think of it as "tradition"  Here are just a few snipets of our tradtional Christmas social.

 The venue


The food!
The music that brings in the Spirit and reminds us of the real reason for this season.
The older generation....Happy Birthday Estelle! She'll be 91 on Tuesday..Yep, 91! She's a beauty!
The cutie teen generation!
The big Man himself....bringing excitement and joy to the youngest generation
And YaYa and PawPaw....May we always enjoy the traditions that make this season special.




16 comments:

rjerdee said...

Adorable, you! Glad you're counting up the traditions...always good to do that!

selvageedge said...

I was surprised at just how well our ward filled up the Osborn gym. And I'm happy that we'll have a new middle school so that my kiddos won't be performing with bats as their backup singers. So which camera worked best for you?

Julia said...

I'm a bit like you about changes but I know that changes is necessary to grow.

I used to know everyone at our church too but not anymore. So many new families I don't know now.

On the bright side, the new is exciting and it means with more people to share in the workload, we can take a little break.

You are so lucky to still have your mom. Going home now is not like it used to be anymore as mom was the hub of activity and everyone gathered at her house and brought lots of food and it was so good to be with everyone. Now each household are their own little hub and their kids gather there, as it should be with the occasional gathering of all of mom's family. Life goes on....

I hope that you have a great family gathering with everyone there.
I love that picture of you and Paw Paw.

Hugs,
JB

acorn hollow said...

Such a great way to keep the holidays.
Cathy

MunirGhiasuddin said...

Estelle does not look a day older than sixty five - - Wow ! I want to eat what she eats, God Bless her.
Yep memories are great. Changes are hard to deal with. I guess the best thing to do is cherish and hang on to what we have today.

Sweet Tea said...

I loved this. I totally identify with your thoughts - I love the old traditions but they do have a way of "morphing" into new ones. Great photos! Great looking YaYa and Paw Paw!!

Rosaria Williams said...

When we look back, these traditions hold us together in so many ways! You two look great!

Kim said...

I'm not real quick to adapt when traditions have to change. But it's funny how after a few years, it becomes your new tradition. Not bad, just different.

Stacy said...

It was different, but fun. Weird having a church function where you work...

Cindy said...

Traditions are so important... Chicago sounds fun and I LOVE the picture of you and hubby!!

Cheltz said...

I'm excited your branch is now a ward, but there is something fun and cozy about branches, isn't there? We miss our branch in St Louis :(.

Donna said...

I echo the sentiments of Julia exactly...(but then I usually do!) Traditions...you know how I feel about them....it's not spring without our annual house tour, whoops we missed it, spring didn't come! ha! etc.

You'll have a wonderful time in Chicago and I'm so jealous...for lots of reasons. Your big, fun family and just going there.

Great pic of you and Jack!!

Kay G. said...

What a wonderful post! YAYA, you and Pawpaw are looking good!

Susan Anderson said...

I LOVE Christmas traditions.
And wasn't the devotional extra great this year?

=)

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Love reading this and you saved the best picture for last. You are just so beautiful and I in this picture you radiate the love you have for everyone.
Love ya
Maggie

momto8 said...

you guys look fabulous!! the older my kids get the more I realize how important traditions are to them...