Christmastime

Thoughts on Christmas
I often wonder what it would be like to grow up without the tradition of Christmas. It seems like such an important part of our calendar year. Christmas means different things to different people. I think of it as such a joyous time of tradition, gathering, celebration, and the most importantly the Birth of our savior, Jesus. To some, that is not the case. It can be a time of mourning, a time of the mundane everyday tasks, a stressful and depressing time, or a meaningless time. It just wonder what it is like for those people. Really...I look forward to this time every year and I wonder, what if I did not. What would it be like looking at all of the decorations, the mean shoppers, the lights, the santas at the mall, the carolers and whatever else if Christmas meant nothing to me. I look forward to the traditions, the gathering of family, church activities, decorations, food, and remembering why this is such an important time of year to celebrate. I think about the time that Tyler is old enough to understand what this holiday is and what I want him to know about it. What do we want to teach him about Christmas?
I have to admit I really struggled this year thinking about what I want to teach him about Christmas. I even felt bad when I realized it was a few days before Christmas and I had not bought him anything. I don't feel bad anymore and I did buy him a few little things (he is not lacking in anything). For our family, I do not want it to be about the gifts. I want it to be about love, the kind of love that involves everyone. The kind of love that is not exclusive or personal, but love that is eternal and is for everyone, God's love. Anyways, I hope if you are reading this you feel that love right now and if you do, share it with someone who may not! If you do not, I hope you feel unanticipated love and joy in the weeks to come. Without the risk of sounding preachy, I will move on.

Our holiday's were blessed with a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Knight. They spent quality time with Tyler doing various fun things and mommy and daddy got to spend time cleaning, organizing and working. While Tyler went tot he zoo and on bus rides, mommy and daddy worked at daddy's office doing taxes and organizing and cleaning out storage and closets at home. See pictures below of some of the fun things they got to do while Grandma and Grandpa were here.

Tyler opening presents Christmas morning

Dinner of Christmas Eve (Turkey, Mashed Potatoes or as Tyler says it "Mash the tables", Green beans and rolls)

Playing frisbee with Gma and Gpa Knight at Pasadena City College at sunset

Watching daddy toss the frisbee on the football field at PCC

Learning to blow dandelions with Grandma Knight

Ty got a balance bike from Grandma and Grandpa for Christmas

Evidence that it does rain in California.

Tylers favorite animals at the zoo...Flamingos.

Christmas lights in front of the Balian Mansion in Pasadena. Ty just loves finding Christmas lights and you should have seen his face when we pulled up in front of this house. It was more lights than he had ever seen before.