Sunday, December 14, 2008

merry blogging — day 1

We leave for Hong Kong in seven days, and I'm constantly fighting the urge to skip and breakout into song.

But instead of subjecting myself to strange looks from strangers, I thought it'd be fun to celebrate my excitement with seven straight days of merry blogging.

You're welcome, mother.
So to begin, here are seven of my favorite Christmas traditions — both past and present.

1. The delightful amount of effort and planning my mom puts into Christmas continues to amaze me. Seriously. This woman makes Santa's elves look like Scrooge. See the above stockings? My mom made those. I know, right?

2. My Dad always lead us down the stairs Christmas morning by covering our eyes. It made the "big reveal" so dramatic, and I loved it.

3. Performing the nativity (complete with elaborate sets, props and costumes) and the Hallstrom family testimony meeting are Christmas Eve traditions I will never forget. How lucky we were to learn at the feet of Grandpa Hallstrom!

4. Sisters' Night, baby! Erin began this tradition more than 20 years ago in which the Hallstrom sisters slept in the same bed on Christmas Eve — even despite long legs and my cuddling tendencies. Last year was the first Christmas we didn't do this (thanks to Mr. Stewart over here), but I got us matching PJ pants because "if we can't sleep in the same bed, we can at least sleep in the same thing!"

5. Singing/giggling "Rise Up Oh Shephards Run" with Megs almost every year for our Hallstrom Family Talent Show is definitely up there. We even sang a verse in Spanish. (ole!)

6. Cocktail wieners. 'Nuff said.

7. Adam and I are still forming our traditions, but it was a pretty merry morning waking up to him last Christmas. I'd say that tradition's a keeper.

14 comments:

Laurel said...

You could have just as easily said, "your welcome, Laurel". I LOVE getting merry blogging daily updates.

You can take back the other present you got me...this is enough (grin).

Diane said...

Be still my beating heart! 7 days in a row of Bri's musings? How absolutely wonderful! Christmas came early this year!

ty and megs said...

"I eat, I eat, I eat no asparagus soup..."

Chocolates for Breakfast said...

I too look forward to your seven days of blogging! You are so cute...does Mr. Stewart know just how lucky he is?!

Kristina P. said...

You have such fun traditions! My parents divorced when I was 18, and I'm the oldest. My brother and I were talking a few days ago about how I don't remember us ever having consistent traditions. It's too bad. That's something I want Adam and I to do.

And we better see you at next book club! I haven't seen you in ages!

Amander said...

Yay for Merry days of blogging! Your mom is an amazing seamstress - totally puts Santa to shame.

Erin said...

I LOVE merry blogging! The only saddness I have is that it is leading up to you leaving me for Christmas. :(

Drew and Michelle said...

I think you and Adam need matching pajamas! It would be very... FANCY!

ali said...

I'm so jealous that you are heading to Hong Kong!

take us with you!

Kara said...

It was hard enough celebrating sisters' night in two different zip codes, now we have to do it in two different countries! Sigh.

Juli said...

Hooray for Christmas traditions! I think the only real tradition Jeff & I have added to our respective family traditions is taking the kids for a picnic dinner on the beach Christmas day. =)

Oh, and thanks for the reminder--I need to pick up some currant jelly for our cocktail weiners!

Lindsey said...

Hey, you don't know me, but Adam does. I am Michelle's friend and I also did the flowers that Adam gave to you on Valentine's day! 9when he proposed I think) Anyway, I check your blog every now and then. I went to Hong Kong this summer and I had to tell you about this place to go shopping! If you take a train to Shenzen (mainland China) there is a shopping center right next to the train station. Best shopping EVER! Purses, movies..you name it it's there and super cheap! Hope you guys have fun!

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