Merry Christmas Eve

MERRY Christmas Eve! A new family has to begin to make its own traditions and begin to tell its own stories and the New Family is not exempt.

The New Family decorated for the occasion. Here are the pictures.

The fireplace mantel.

The fake tree from the Home Depot.

The mantel is from the original Pheasant Run farm house which has long since been torn down. At the time Opa worked for that organization and salvaged it from destruction. It was carried on a car rooftop to Carmi Illinois and then transported back. Opa installed it for Heidi when she first bought her home. A young and handsome suitor (that eventually won her hand in marriage and authors this blog which gives him liberty to use those adjectives) gave her the ember screen that covers it. Opa later added the electric burning logs, flip a switch and you get instant fire without the ash, soot, or smoke. Okay, nothing beats a birch fire for character and warmth, but Opa's efforts to fit the faux logs were extraordinary. And he is very much missed.

The Family bought the tree in January 2011 on discount (50% off after Christmas sale!) and stored it for a year before using it for the first time last year.

Last year, Mom bought the ornaments pictured above. She started the tradition of giving them an ornament or two every Christmas. The Parents and Opa got a little carried away buying ornaments for the New Family's first year, but all were so excited.

Opa sent away for these personalized rocking horse ornaments.

Mom bought these (for herself):

Opa bought the New Family Parents these. Perfect and true to form as each is holding a baby. 

The Daddy teddy bear ornament is holding a screaming baby while the Mommy's baby is quiet and sleeping. And the Daddy looks clueless even though he has a bottle in hand.

Mom loves snowmen.

Dad likes contemporary and even though stylized reindeer were contemporary 20 years ago, he still likes the look. Opa bought the stocking holders above as gifts for the New Family in 2012 that he found at a resale shop. (He loved shopping at resales). They are nice & heavy.

The above two pictures are German made Christmas items that have adorned the mantel every year. Traditional wood carvings.

The snowmen embracing was a gift from Dad to Mom on their 1st married Christmas (2003)

Opa knowing how much Mom loves snowmen, bought these last year to represent EJ & Liesel. You may notice they are singing - a passion that Opa and Mom shared together.