This is a repeat from two years ago of some of my favorite Christmas Memories, I really enjoyed this one, I hope you do too!

1. When we were kids, my sister and I would wake up at 5:00 or earlier ready to head over to Grandma and Grandpa’s house. We all would bundle up and pile in the car and drive the short distance to their house. It was still dark and no one on the streets, and so it was a magical time for us. Our grandparent’s house would always be dark when we pulled up, and we knew we would have the great big honor of surprising them by sneaking in and waking them up. We always did try to sneak a peek at the tree but, mom would shoo us away to go wake grandma and grandpa. They would be so surprised as we pounced on their bed with cheers of “Merry Christmas!” The older I got the magic started to fade though….when I noticed that, the coffee pot was brewing, and this was before auto-timers, and Grandma would already have her robe on while lying in bed. But they never took away that joy from us.

2. Our neighbors coming over for a holiday get-together…we had a close-knit neighborhood growing up and the holidays was just another excuse for everyone to get together for some really good food!

3. Church Christmas programs, those were always fun. Whether it was a Christmas Cantata or a Christmas play, the church I grew up in did things big and every age had a part. I don’t remember how many times I was an Angel, but I know it was a few!

4. One year at Christmas when I was around 13, I had mononucleosis, the kissing disease…and no I didn’t get it kissing anyone! I was very depressed because the doctor told my mother I wasn’t allowed to do anything, but complete bed rest. So I missed all the church Christmas parties and programs. The day of the big church Christmas party for my group, I was beyond comfort. I begged to go, but mom wouldn’t budge. Later that afternoon the doorbell rang and mom told me to go answer the door….when I opened the door there stood everyone from my group from church, about thirty or more kids singing Christmas carols to me. They brought me treats and presents, and even at that young age, I knew what a special gift I had been given that day.

5. That same Christmas, Santa (it had to be my dad because mom would have never done it I don’t think) bought us a drum set! I remember jumping up and down with excitement and mom telling me to settle down, I wasn’t suppose to be moving around like that!

6. When my dad’s sisters lived in Chicago we would always drive over to see them on Christmas Eve. My favorite part was the drive home….it was always very late, snow on the ground, cold, and there would be Christmas music playing on the radio. My sister and I would just lay our heads back and look out the back window and try to find Santa…I’m sure we saw him a time or two.

7. Grandma’s cookies…..some of my favorite memories of Christmas are my grandma’s cookies. She makes Kolache’s and petit pecan pies….man, she can bake! You should taste her Coconut Layer Cake!!! My all time favorite! Enough of that, I’m making myself hungry!

8. The Christmas I was pregnant with our firstborn, I walked into my in-laws home and was greeted to a living room full of nursery furniture all assembled and ready for our son who was to be born in April. It was one of the sweetest presents I ever got. My FIL and SIL stayed up all night to put it all together.

9. The year that my side of the family all gathered at our home for desserts and we watched “It’s A Wonderful Life” together as a large family. It was the first time I hosted everyone and I felt honored. Watching that movie with my grandparents was really special. We also learned to always have Kleenex on hand when viewing this holiday movie, especially when you see your big strong former Marine grandfather’s eyes well up with tears!

10. One Christmas my grandparents gifted all the family with a very generous gift. The reaction when I opened that envelope was priceless! But mine wasn’t the only reaction…everyone had the same one, even the kids! Theirs were great! It was one of those moments you wish you had on video.

11. My dad loves to shop for Christmas, though he usually waits to Christmas Eve to do it. One year he asked me to help him. So we hit the mall on Christmas Eve….and you know what that is like! But it was well worth it! He bought for everyone on his list. That included the fur coats he bought for my sister and I. Even though I knew what I was getting, it was a lot of fun seeing the faces of the others when they got their presents. So when dad say’s lets go shopping, I say, OK!

12. Any Christmas spent with my children has special memories and they are so many it will take more than 13 to list. From their first Christmas to when they had their picture with Santa, to trying to sneak a peek at their presents. Christmas has been a new experience ever since I had children, for that I thank God for.

13. Having spent the last couple Christmas’s away from family we have started some of our own family traditions. Thankfully we are able to share this holiday with our family. This year we will be having a new member share Christmas with us, our future Daughter-in-law. It’s only getting better with each year.

In the spirit of Christmas, please check out Share a Square!! Just click the banner below to see how you to can be a part of this awesome project!