A Christmas Tag And An Award

I got tagged for this Christmas MeMe by Much2Ponder at the In Case You Were Wondering blog, and Sondre Lyn at the Sondre Lyn blog.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

Neither. But a Starbucks coffee would be just perfect.

Cold......



Or hot.....



2.Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

It depends on the size of the gift. But this year since both of our boys want cash, we might just be passing out envelopes. LOL!;)

3. Colored lights on house/tree or white?

Both.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

You know that I do.



*Sigh*

5. When do you put your decorations up?

Usually right around Thanksgiving. Sometimes before. Sometimes after.

And speaking of decorations, as part of our Advent celebration, this past Sunday, Shannon and I made a gingerbread house with the boys. And since my mom really wanted to see it, I am going to share some pictures of it with you.

We called it the "Gingerbread Shack." ;)





6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

Broccoli Casserole. Here is the recipe in my mom's handwriting.



7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?

Unlike my own children, I loved when my parents would take me driving around Crazyville to look at all the different houses decorated for Christmas. I would get so excited seeing all of the bright and cheerful Christmas lights and decorations.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

I believe that I was in about the fourth grade, and some little snippy girl spilled the beans at school one day. I remember going home and demanding that my mom tell me the truth. And when she did.....I just started bawling. It was a very sad day for my mom and me.

*Sniff*Sniff*

Even now that I am older I still love to hear people say, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus."

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

We usually let the boys open one gift or three on Christmas Eve.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

I'll let you see for yourself. (And even though you cannot tell it in this picture, our tree is covered in white and multi-colored strands of lights.)



11. Snow. Love it or dread it?

I love to look at snow and watch it falling. But I cannot drive in it. At all. Ever.

12. Can you ice skate?

No. I have never even tried it. But just between you and me, I have had several dreams that I am awesome at it. Like this.



13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

The first year that Shannon and I were married, I wanted a Christmas tree, but we were living in a mess, as we were building our house (while living in it), so my husband thought it would not make sense to put a tree in a "construction zone."

I was disappointed, but I understood.

Anyway, not too long after our discussion, I arrived home from work one evening, but he wasn't there. Which was unusual, because he got off work much earlier than me.

So I waited and worried, and finally he showed up. He came in the house and asked me, "What is all of this stuff out on the porch?" And I looked at him confused, and replied, "What stuff? Where have you been?"

Then he said, "Help me get all of this stuff cleaned off of the porch."

So, I walked outside with him and he shouted, "Merry Christmas!"

The "stuff" on the porch was a tree, lights, ornaments, tinsel, and an angel topper for me.



*Sigh*

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays to you?



Amen.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Hands down....pecan pie.



Mmmmmmmmmm!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

I absolutely love listening to Christmas music! I never tire of it. Just ask my family. ;)

17. What tops your Christmas tree?

A Precious Moments angel that my sister in law gave me many years ago. And no, Michelle, you cannot have it. ;)

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?

Definitely giving.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?

I love SO many Christmas songs, so there is NO way that I could pick just ONE favorite. But just for the sake of answering the question, I will share with you one of my many favorites. Take a listen if you'd like. It's "The Christmas Song" sung by Nat King Cole.



20. Candy Canes. Yum or Yuck?

Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. However, I do think that they are very pretty.

21. What do you want for Christmas?

"All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth."

Seriously, feel free to just completely ignore me.

22. Do you attend an annual Christmas party?

No.



Just kidding. ;)

23. Do you dress up for Christmas Eve or wear PJ's?

Pajamas!

24. Do you own a Santa hat?

We own a Santa hat, and a hat for Santa's elf as well.



25. Who do you normally spend Christmas with?

My sweet and crazy family.

And last, but not least, I received this award from Lynn at the Somewhere in the Middle blog.

Isn't it sweet?



*Sigh*

The requirements for this award are:
"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find, and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers."

Thank you so much, Lynn, for thinking of me for this award. I really appreciate you, my bloggy friend!