These are a few of my favorite things...

As the holidays are fast approaching. I thought I would try to remember what I really love about them. You can't walk through the stores without being reminded that Christmas is really right around the corner. Last night at our cell group we played a game and it was so much fun and it's really what I enjoy the most about this time of year. Just being with friends that are like family. To just really laugh til your sides hurt. We have had so much happen during our the holidays since Rick and I have been together that we have not had alot of tradition. I'm hoping to bring that back this year. But, more importantly just get some really great quality time with the ones I love. The holiday season is also the start of basketball season which is one of my favorite sports to watch, but it also takes up alot of our time. So here is my list of favorite things:

Emerson children's Christmas Party (movie and meet Santa)


Tech's Christmas Concert


Drawing names
I don't have a pic of this but my kids get so excited...after speaking with our Pastor's wife, Denise I may add to our tradition of drawing names by borrowing her tradition. She wont mind. When we draw names this year we are also going to put the tree up and I'm gonna make everyone's favorite appetizer. We usually make appetizers and junk out during New Year's Eve and the kids love it.

Egg Nog Milkshakes at Sonic
My son loves Egg Nog and he wishes he could buy it all year long. I remember when I was his age I loved it too and my Mammy would only give me a very small amount. I think that's why I liked it soo much.

Creme Drops
You know those chocolate things that look like gum drops but they are made of chocolate and creme..MMMmmmmmm... Those were my favorite.

My layered pumpkin pie
Prep Time: 15 minutesTotal Time: 4 hours 15 minutesServings: 8
Ingredients
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 cups frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
1 Keebler® Ready Crust® Graham Pie Crust
3/4 cup cold milk
2 packages (4-serving size) vanilla flavor instant pudding & pie filling
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice*
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
Directions
1. In medium bowl whisk together cream cheese, 1 tablespoon milk and sugar. Gently stir in whipped topping. Carefully spread in crust.
2. In large bowl beat 3/4 cup milk, pudding mix and spice with wire whisk for 1 minute. Whisk in pumpkin. (Mixture will be thick.) Carefully spread over cream cheese layer.
3. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or until set.
4. Garnish as desired. Store in refrigerator.
*NOTE: May substitute 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves in place of pumpkin pie spice.
My stepmother used to make this and I just loved it. I was very young and wasn't a big fan of pumpkin pie but this made me like it ALOT!

The homemade ornaments my kids bring home from school

Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Actually all the parades even our small hometown parade.

Football

The mall- I just love how the mall is decorated during the holidays.

Caramel Pie
It's not my favorite pie but it is my husbands and I enjoy making it for him. There is also this boy that goes to our church who loves it so much I am making him one this year too.

Hot Chocolate with whipped cream or marshmallows

Mistletoe

There are so many things about this time of year but the most important thing is Remembering Our King, this is a time to give thanks to God for sending His son to die for our undeserving selves. I have always tried to remember this but this year I'm going to put forth an extra effort to remind my kids what "Christ"mas is really about! I am so Thankful for everything God has given me. What are you thankful for? What are a few of your favorite things?