Christmas Survey!

I always get random surveys from friends to fill out all of the time. I thought I would share the results of two of them put together.

1. Christmas tree up yet?
No, we don't put one up because of the kitties

2. Any Christmas decorations up yet?
No, I haven't done x-mas decorations in the new house yet. I still feel like we aren't unpacked.

3. What are you asking for for Christmas?
Restaurant gift cards and Menards gift card. It amazes me how your priorities change as you get older.

4.What do you usually do on Christmas Eve?
We head to my mom's house on x-mas eve. It has been the tradition since I was little.

5. What do you usually do on Christmas Day?
Now, we head to Lee's grandma's house. We've started a new tradition for Christmas supper - Chinese buffet. They are always open on x-mas, and I'll be darned if I'm cooking. We aren't the only ones there either!

6. Do you own any christmas clothes or jewelery?
Christmas socks, and I wear them throughout the winter

7. Do you use white or colored christmas lights?
I used to do colored on the tree before my kitties came along

8. Do you bake Christmas cookies?
Nope, I let my mom do that.

9. Do you buy Christmas presents for your whole family?
For Lee's family - yes. For my family, we have a x-mas exchange among the adults, and then everyone buys for the kids and pets.

10. How many friends do you buy presents for?
2 - Sharla and Sara

11. Is there a Santa Clause?
It would be nice, but then why doesn't he buy me presents :-).

12. Favorite Christmas Carol?
O Holy Night and Carol of the Bells

13. Would you rather it be a white Christmas, or a warm Christmas?
White - Christmas isn't supposed to be warm outside

14. Was last year a good christmas?
I had a migraine on x-mas eve, so that wasn't so good. Christmas day was nice though.

15. Which Christmas color do you like better? RED or GREEN?
I prefer green throughout the year, but on x-mas I like red.

16. Do you get a real Christmas tree, or is it artificial?
I have an artifical one in my attic.

17. When you get older, will you get a real or artificial tree?
I'll keep my artificial one.

18. Do you hang stockings?
Used to, but not since we got in the house.

19. When opening presents, does your family all open them at the same time or do you take turns?
At my mom's we open one at a time. At Lee's grandma's, we open all at the same time.

20. What is usually in your stocking?
Lee's mom gives us a stocking each year filled with smaller presents, candy, and fruit. My mom usually gives us small presents.

21. Do you get up early on Christmas day?
I try not too. I enjoy the day off from work.

22. Does your family eat breakfast before or after opening presents?
We usually don't eat breakfast. We have lunch at Lee's grandma's house.

23. Do you have a favorite ornament you hang on the tree?
I love my ornaments! I wish I still put up my tree. One day again I will.

24. What Christmas movie do you like to watch the most?
I have three I like to watch - Home Alone, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and A Christmas Story.

25. What do you like better, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
They are both special in their own way for different reasons.
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1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Bags are easier and more often than not what I choose, but occasionally I do wrap.

2. Real or Artificial tree?
Artificial. (See above)

3. When do you put up the tree?
Usually don't anymore (See above)

4. When do you take the tree down?
Since I normally don't put one up, I get to save this step.

5. Do you like Eggnog?
I have never tried it.

6. Favorite Gift you received as a child?
My big teddy bear that I still have and isn't so big anymore

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
I love the nativity scene I have, but I haven't decorated in a couple of years.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
Taylor - I want to make her happy, and she never knows what she wants.

9. Easiest person to buy for?
My husband because we get each other something for the house.

10. Worst Christmas gift ever received?
Those darn popcorn tins.

11. Christmas Cards...Snail mail or E-mail?
Snail mail

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
I have 3 (See above)

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I used to be super-proactive, but the last two years have been difficult. I have been shopping up to the end.

14. Have you ever 'recycled' a Christmas present?
Several times and other gifts as well became x-mas gifts

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Mom's cheesecake

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
I've done colored in the past.

17. Favorite Christmas Song?
I have 2 (See above)

18. Travel at Christmas or Stay Home?
Usually traveling

19. Can you name Santa's Reindeer?
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen, and Rudolph

20. Do you have an Angel or a Star on top of your tree?
When I put one up, I have an angel.

21. Open the Presents Christmas Eve or Morning?
(See above) My mom's house on Christmas Eve and Lee's grandma's on Christmas morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
The Christmas songs that start in October!!!!!

23. Shopping...Mall or on-line?
Depends how easily I can find it online. I usually do half-and-half.

24. Do you decorate outside for Christmas or just inside (or at all?)
Neither really - not this year

25. Favorite Christmas cookie?
I'm not really a cookie kind of girl.

26. Do you own Christmassy clothing or jewelry?
(See above) Socks

27. Do you believe in Santa?
(See above) I hope that there is, but he doesn't visit me :-)

Thanksgiving Traditions

This year's Thanksgiving was quite a bit different than Thanksgivings past, but at the same time, it was a great 5-day break from work.

Wednesday night we got to pick up Taylor and see her for the first time in 5 1/2 weeks. We got to spend almost the entire 5-day break with her, which was great!

Thanksgiving was full of family time. We first went to Lee's grandma's house for a short time, so Taylor could see her grandmas on Thanksgiving. We then headed off to Basswood, where we once lived, for Lee's dad's family Thanksgiving. It was a large turnout and had the most kids there in years. It was great to see the family, which we generally only see one a year. For the Lee family (my family) Thanksgiving, we did something quite different. We hosted! Generally, the Lee family Thanksgiving takes place at my mom and dad's house. Last year, my sister hosted in Indianapolis for the first time. This year, we hosted. We cooked our first turkey which is pictured above. Not everyone could be there due to other commitments, but as a whole, it was a new twist to an old Thanksgiving tradition.

Friday Lee, Lee's mom, and I took Taylor to see Enchanted. It was a great movie!!!!!!!!!! The theater was packed, and people of all ages were laughing and having a great time. Two thumbs up!

Saturday we took Taylor to the library. She has been asking to go for months, so we read two books about "Dumb Bunnies". I think she enjoyed herself. Lee's sister, who lived with us for a time, came back home for a funeral. She moved to Phoenix several months ago. It was good to see her as well. We also painted primer on the hallway walls. We have been doing a lot of renovating and replacing items in the last month, which is why I haven't posted. She enjoyed helping us out. At night, we watched E.T. Taylor had seen part of it on TV a few weeks ago, and she wanted to watch the whole movie. So we curled up with blankets, turned down the lights, and enjoyed the movie. Sunday, she had to go home. The funny thing is that within hours of being back home she had emailed Lee and I and called us. I think she missed us, and we sure did miss her.

All in all, it was a great 5-day weekend! We got to enjoy time with each other, with family, and with our little Taylor. Next time we see her will be for Christmas. Sometimes it seems like it doesn't come soon enough.