Home Spun Christmas

This year we started off the Christmas season with a trip to Branson Missouri, bedded in the Ozark Mountains. Our family is large and we have a bunch of kids, but that doesn't slow us down when it comes to family outings. We operate on the buddy system, every big kid has a little kid to walk around with. It can be a long car ride and loud, but we usually make it work. Time devoted as Family Time is important and we cherish the trips we're able to take together. 

        Our favorite in Branson is Silver Dollar City which specializes in putting on an old fashioned Christmas. The smell of baked goods fills every shop and classic shows such as It's A Wonderful Life and Dickens Christmas are performed live in different theaters. Everyone is dressed up and Christmas music streams through the streets. At night the Christmas lights are overwhelming and we love taking the night time train ride that circles the town and ends with the telling of the Christmas story.

Another Christmas favorite is decorating our family tree. Throughout the year my mom will find ornaments that mirror each one of our personalities/hobbies. These are added to the collection and will continue to go on our tree every year until we each have a home of our own and then we get to put them on our own individual trees. 

Every night in December we read our advent book which tells of a young Jewish boys' journey leading up to the birth of Christ, the last reading being on Christmas morning. After the reading we head downstairs for the presents. It can be kinda crazy at our house, wrapping paper and boxes everywhere. The smell of baked cinnamon rolls and fresh brewed coffee fill the house, and we spend time playing with our new toys and trinkets. This wraps up the Christmas morning and then we head over to Granny's for Christmas dinner.

      Many things come to mind when I think of Christmas: family, lights, hot cocoa, caroling, sewing, that barbecue ham my papaw makes, playing games, sledding and warm fire places. It always leaves a warm feeling inside and most of all reminds me of the night my king was brought into this world. Merry Christmas everyone!
- The Harris'