Last year, I got the opportunity to share an "early Christmas" with the Hunnables and it was a time I will never forget. Does this family do CHRISTMAS! I had always heard about the Hunnables Christmas events, but could never fully comprehend what actually happened at them, but was promised that they were epic. Well, after seeing some hilarious video footage (an all-out Christmas drama in their living room one year, filled with songs, poetry, and dancing), I knew i would be in for a good time. Normally each year they have a "making contest" where they designate a theme and the week ahead, each person prepares their tools and materials in order to be designated the winner. Last year we were told we would be making an advent calendar, and the judge (James) would decide the winner based upon creativity and cleverness. The winner in the end was Al, with Suz coming in second place, and 3rd place? Yours truly. Stu got honorable mention for the time and effort he put into a wonderful Santa painting that he did. Go babe!
So, if you couldn't already tell, both Stu and I are Christmas CRAZY, so to be able to spend it together this year as a married couple is just the best thing ever. We got back from our honeymoon in the middle of November, and promptly put up our Christmas tree soon after. We LOVED going shopping for all of our Christmasey things for our new home. Karl and Mackenzie were gracious enough to loan us their tree for our first Christmas so that we wouldn't drain our pockets on Christmas this year. Once we got it home, it was all talk about what sort of "theme" we wanted to go for. You know us artsy fartsy folks gotta have everything just right and color coordinated to the max. So we decided first and foremost, the most important thing for this tree: BLUE LIGHTS. As most of you know, Stu has an odd obsession with blue lights so what better way to make his Christmas really special than to center the tree decor around BLUE LIGHTS. We were fortunate enough to find a lot of beautiful ornaments in dark shiny greys, silver, and whites, along with some beautiful transparent silver ribbon. Oh, and of course, some birds on there for me. We also managed to find some stockings that went with our decor, and are proud to be the only apartment in our complex that have a wreath hanging outside our door. Christmas, my friends, is upon us.
It occurred to us that this year will probably be the year that we will set some traditions that will carry into future Christmases. This year we will be spending Christmas with our family, but have now been told that Christmas Eve is open for us to do whatever we like. The task of planning this night has become daunting. What will we DO on Christmas Eve? Maybe we should go tobogganning? Maybe go for a walk at the Forks? Go skating? Go for a meal? Maybe make junk food and watch Christmas movies all night? Put on the Christmas Yuletide Log on tv (since we are lacking a fireplace...) and sit and hold hands while we sing along to the carols? (Hm, that one's a bit strange.) The possibilities are endless. Tonight we realized that it doesn't matter what tradition we make up. The tradition that will translate into all our future Christmases? Family. Though this will be Stu's first Christmas away from his family, I know that he will feel their love even if we're miles apart. This year we'll be spending Christmas with my side of the family and I have no doubt that we will have an excellent time with them. We are already planning next year's Christmas with our England family too. (I can't wait to spend Christmas Eve in London, a Hunnable tradition that I've heard about since Stu and I met.) The thing that we can remember this Christmas is, no matter what we do or where we are, we know that we will be surrounded by the love of our family whether they are near or far. And that, is truly the best Christmas gift we could ask for.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!
Love from,Stu & Becks
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