Traditions

I am, by every sense of the word, traditional.

My wedding was very traditional. I had the something old, new, borrowed, and blue. I wore my Nana's pearls and my Grandma's ring. James and I did not see each other before the wedding. One of my favorite wedding photos is his face as the church doors opened. It brings tears to my eyes every time.

There are so many traditions that I look forward to this time of year - Watching the Macy's Parade, Thanksgiving at Grandmas, Thanksgiving at the beach, shopping with my family, ice skating...the list goes on and on! I am so thankful to have such a wonderful, close, large family to share in these traditions.

 Thanksgiving 2011

 Thanksgiving 2012

Ice Skating 2013

 There's even one that I have started of our own: Christmas Extravaganza.

A few years back I started something (by myself) called Christmas Extravaganza. It was my name for decorating. It would take place the weekend before Thanksgiving, I would get Starbucks, put on "It's a Wonderful Life" and get to it! The thought behind it was when I had a family one day, the tradition would already be in place, and my children would talk about Christmas Extravaganza every year. Now that I have a little family of my own I am so excited for Christmas Extravaganza this year. We will get Starbucks and of course, we'll have "Its a Wonderful Life" playing. This years extravaganza will happen this Friday night! There will be pictures posted after this weekend but here is one of last years tree!

What traditions mean the most to you during the holidays or the rest of the year? I would love to hear! :)