Candlelight

Another tradition for us at Christmas time is the Candlelight service at our church here in Albuquerque. 

That is something that I look forward to immensely. Everyone dresses to the nines, and they bring the whole family. It doesn't matter if you "go to church"...you come to candlelight. Our music department starts working on the music for this service before Thanksgiving, and the music is spectacular.

Every year that we are in town, of course we go, and I am a ball of tears the entire service. It's a time to reflect, and listen to the words. To see people you haven't seen in years and reconnect. It's by far my favorite service of the year. 

I remember as I kid, I couldn't wait to hold a candle! You have to be 12, and so for a while there I was out of luck. My dad would let me semi hold his, but it wasn't the same... Year 12 came and I was beyond stoked to get my own candle. 

They hand them out at the doors before the service, and after all the special music, our pastor and his family go up to the front, pray, light their candles and then start passing the flame. It's breathtaking to see candles start lighting everywhere and the room is literally a glow with candlelight. We all sing the classic Christmas songs like Silent Night, and O Holy Night with our candles lit. It's truly a magical night.

 

I'm sad we won't be here for Candlelight this year, but the bonus is we'll get to be with our Oregon family and partake in the Christmas traditions there. 

13 Days!

P.S. Write after I posted this, I saw this video from our church all about candelight. I think it's pretty much gold, so check it out. 

P.S.S They changed the age to 13! Oh man, I would've been so pissed!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree!

Eric was out of town for a few days finishing up a documentary, and Jayne and I didn't want to wait any longer to put up our tree. So, we made a day of it!

It just so happened to be snowy, I had the day off, and Jayne's school was canceled. We met for coffee that morning and then set out to find the perfect tree. 

Sure enough we found it!

The mandatory Christmas movie. It was hilarious!!!

Jayne made delicious hot cocoa!

Jayne wrapping ribbon around the tree.

The finished product!

After we finished the tree, Jayne and I got bored and had some fun with the Christmas lights! 

We love our cute little tree!!!

Just the Girls

A super cute Christmas tradition that the Parnell side of the family does is girls afternoon out.  Sharon, my mother-in-law, plans something fun for Kristen, my sister-in-law, and I to do. The first year we did this, Sharon took us to a Christmas tea. There was finger food, champagne, and yummy holiday spiced tea. There were also carolers singing while we sipped and nibbled. It was lovely. 

The the time, Sharon arranged for us to make ornaments out of glass. We were taught how to cut and shape glass to create ornaments to our liking. We left the ornaments there and they put them in the oven to let the glass meld together. I made a penguin and gave it to my mom for Christmas. It was a blast! I'm so excited to see what we're going to do this year!

 16 more days!

The Lineup

A Parnell family tradition is "the lineup". 

The morning of Christmas, everyone goes upstairs (you're not allowed to look at the tree) 

and lines up according to age.

Then we all march downstairs and take our first look at the tree and all the presents underneath. 

It's such a fun thing to do, especially with my two little nephews, Jacob and Josh. 

The anticipation of seeing the tree only contributes to their excitement.

It's contagious! 

Here's a picture of the lineup from our last Christmas all together as a family:

Clearly, Jacob is ready to go. 

19 more days!

Apples, Popcorn, and Cheese

Every year, my dad, stepmom, sister. hubby, and me all decorate the same tree that Jayne and I have had our whole lives. It's a Charlie Brown sort of tree, that has definitely seen better days, but we all love it more and more as the years go by.

I've even got some ornaments on that tree that I made when I was in kindergarten!

Part of that tree tradition is this:

Sliced Apples

 

 Cheddar Cheese

 

 And popcorn

It probably sounds like an odd combo, but it's actually delicious and something I look forward to all month long. We eat while taking turns putting up the ornaments with Gloria Estefan, Michael McDonald, and Nsync Christmas music playing in the background 

(God bless my dad for including Nsync in his timeless musical taste! If he had it his way they'd be left out.)

Then after the tree is finished and there has been a sufficient amount of "Ooooohing" and "Aaaaaahhhing" we put on this baby right here:

Rudolph! My dad knows all the songs and still laughs at the same parts every year. Our Christmas would not be same without it!

20 more days!

Buzz's Girlfriend...Woof!

Since I said I'd do one tradition a day until Christmas, and I haven't got the chance to blog the past two days, I've got three traditions for you today. Three of my favorite!

Eric and I lived in Oregon for the first two years we were married. 

Oregon - the land of Christmas tree farms! The day after Thanksgiving, we head out to 

one of the billion tree lots they set up and pick the perfect tree. 

After some wrangling, we strap it on our little car and head home. 

I put on some Christmas tunes, make hot chocolate, and the Christmas tree decorating commences. 

It's such a lovely evening! 

 

 Home Alone is my favorite Christmas movie of all time. I could watch it every day up until Christmas. I especially like putting it on while I wrap presents!

 

My Christmas dress! Every December the hunt begins for the perfect dress to wear to our Christmas service. I found this little beauty on Pinterest. I'm in love. 

21 more days!

The Countdown Begins

Let's just come out with it already: I am a freak when it comes to the Christmas season. 

I turn into a giddy five year old, getting excited for the tree, the music, the movies, the hot beverages...all things Christmas. In honor of this quirky side of me, I thought I would do a countdown to Christmas featuring a staple of Christmas in the Parnell household. Granted, this is only our 4th Christmas together so we're still making Christmas traditions, but I think we've established some pretty awesome ones so far. The first being this little beauty right here:

Now, this is more my tradition than Eric's. He in fact hates this CD with his entire being. However, since he loves me so much, he tolerates it. Starting Thanksgiving evening, this bad boy goes right into the Christmas playlist. It brings back so many good memories of being a teeny bopper convinced I was the future Mrs. Timberlake (I'm really glad that didn't happen by the way) and being so excited for Christmas I could hardly stand it.

24 more days!