It's been so fun being back and so close to family and once again participating in all the family traditions. I've loved introducing my girls to these traditions that I remember doing as a little girl.
The Card Party
The Toffoli's host a wonderful "card party" that has taken place for 21 years. We all sit around making Christmas cards to send out to family and friends. There are plenty of stickers, markers, stamps, paper, glue, glitter, you name it, it's there. Not to mention there is always amazing food to accompany. We then all walk together to the blue mail box singing Christmas songs along the way. Once we get back we sip cider while the kids do a small program. This year included the violin, piano, "guitar", singing, and dancing. It was such a fun night that the girls LOVED!!!!
Mimi's Ornament Dinner
Every year since I was little Mimi has always given me an ornament in my stocking at her house. She has a stocking hanging for every one of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren (spouse included). It's been fun to pull out our ornaments when decorating the tree and remember all the ornaments she has given me throughout the years. Not only does she give us an ornament in our stockings but she also lets us choose one of her very own ornaments off of her Christmas tree. Thanks to Mimi, when I got married I already had enough ornaments to fill up our Christmas tree. The girls loved picking just the right one off her tree and were happy to come home and hang it on our tree.
Sitting on Santa's Lap
Of course this is a tradition that everyone does. It's funny to see the different looking Santa's and to see the girls reactions to him each year. This year Gracie and Olivia loved it, but Abigail was never quite too sure what to think.
