Happy new year, everyone!
My kids returned to school this past Wednesday and I’ve returned to writing the rough draft of Bradford Sisters novel #3 (Britt’s love story). So this seems like a good time to reminisce about the trip our family took over Christmas vacation.
I know that a lot of people prefer to celebrate Christmas in their own homes. I get it! I love that, too. But I think my favorite way to spend Christmas is in the home I grew up in — surrounded by extended family — in Riverside, California.
My parents have lived in this 1930’s home since 1971.
Midday on Christmas Eve, I took some of the cousins on an outing that had a two-pronged purpose. 1) To feed them. 2) To get them out of the house so others could concentrate on Christmas Eve prep. We went to the nearby Mission Inn, Riverside’s most famous landmark. The Mission Inn opened in 1903 and is built in the Mission-Revival style of architecture.
The inn’s interior was decorated beautifully for the season.
We ran into Santa! Only two of the girls wanted to take a picture with him. The other two just looked at him dubiously and shook their heads.
On Christmas Eve, we attended worship at my parents’ church.
After a family dinner, we recruited these participants (some willing, some unwilling) to act out the Christmas story in our annual home-spun nativity play. Yes, a Cabbage Patch doll is playing the role of Jesus. And yes, the shepherd has no sheep but is inexplicably carrying a duckling.
Christmas morning.
My three (ages L to R: 14, 8, 17). They’re wearing the Christmas jammies they opened Christmas Eve.
We always celebrate with a big Christmas breakfast that includes sausage and egg casserole, blueberry muffins, fruit, bacon, and coffee. It’s my favorite breakfast of the year.
My sister hosted our family and her husband’s family for dinner Christmas night. The multiple tables were all set gorgeously. Notice the crystal ornaments dangling from the chandelier.
On December 26th, we drove to Mammoth Mountain to ski. Our son was the most excited. He’s an avid snowboarder and couldn’t wait to hit the slopes. This picture was taken the first day out. On the last run of that day, he fell forward onto his hands and fractured a bone in his arm. Instead of snowboarding, he spent the rest of our time in Mammoth watching Netflix movies.
His Highness and the girls. The weather was PERFECT.
The rest of us managed to complete the trip without fracturing our bones.
Regardless of where you celebrated Christmas, I hope that the break from work refreshed you and that you’ve welcomed 2018 full of hope and expectation.
I’d love to hear about a memory from this past Christmas that you’ll cherish.
Becky Wade
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Love the pictures! So glad you had such a wonderful Christmas.
Thanks, Betty!
Hi Becky! Your Christmas looks like it was full of great memories. My Christmas celebrations have changed over the years with my kids now being married and living in other states, but it’s all good. They spent Christmas with their spouse’s families, so I invited some single friends over for Christmas eve brunch. I watched two Christmas movies and read one Christmas book on the 25th. On the 28th my kids, kids-in-law, and 10 month old granddaughter arrived at my house and we had our Christmas morning on the 29th. It was such fun with a new little one in our family! We all headed to my brother’s home in Chicago (a 4 hour drive) to celebrate some more on the 30th. My son and family were glad to get home to California where the temps were not below 0. So lots of wonderful memories this year!
Yes, it sounds like you made lots of wonderful memories, Linda! I can imagine just how much fun it must have been to have a granddaughter in your home for the celebrations. Little ones make Christmas extra-special for everyone. 🙂
Becky, thank you for sharing your Christmas break. The photos are beautiful. I’m praying your son heals quickly.
May 2018 be filled with His Presence!
Amen!
Love you Sweetie! We are so thankful you all shared Christmas with us! Loved all the photos!!! We are blessed by you!
Thanks, mom! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your pictures! Wow, the inn looks gorgeous! How fun to spend time with family! I’m sorry about your son, though. Poor thing. Sports will be out of the picture until he heals, I’m sure.
Yes, unfortunately. Our son LOVES sports, so he’s trying to be patient until he’s able to get back out on the basketball court. Poor guy.
What a wonderful visit you had! So sorry about your son’s injury.
Several years ago our snow boarding son had a fall and shattered his collar bone. His vacation included surgery but he still enthusiastically “shreds” the hills.
This year was lovely at our house. The whole family was here and my husband was told by the doctor that his cancer is gone so far.
Praise the Lord for the good news about your husband’s health! And I’m encouraged to hear about your son’s rebound from his snowboarding injury. I fully expect my son to get back out there and “shred” the hills in future years, too. 🙂