"Traditions touch us, they connect us, and they expand us" - Rita Barreto Craig

Family traditions have always been so important to me. It's predictable, sure, but there's nothing better than spending time together as a family at the holidays. If you are unable to spend time with family during the holidays, there is always a place for you with my family.

Growing up, we would typically visit my paternal grandparents on Christmas Eve, and visit my maternal grandparents on Christmas Day - after going to Christmas mass. The excitement around seeing family for two days straight was never lost on me as a child. I can almost guarantee that it was exhausting for my parents, driving from Methuen, MA to Dracut, MA one day, then Methuen to Randolph, MA the next. But the memories we made were probably worth it.

Spending time with both sides of the family was so special, until my dad's parents moved to Florida. Then we did Christmas Day in Randolph, and that was that! We got to spend time with cousins we rarely saw, enjoy homemade goodies, and share laughter. 

Now, the holidays look a little different. By a little, I mean a lot different. For starters, both sets of grandparents are no longer earth side - and that's hard. Missing them every day is brutal, but because they were such huge parts of our childhood holidays - welp, it sucks extra hard. 

We don't have a ton of extended family time anymore, with everyone living up and down the eastern seaboard. Kyle and I travel to North Carolina to spend time with Mom and Dad - so that's becoming a new tradition. When we get there, there is definitely a lot of loving on Kyrie and giving her all the attention. Christmas Eve mass became a tradition for us as well, followed by Christmas movies with the fireplace on. 

When we were kids, we would watch a movie or two (the stop motion movies usually, those are short!), then march right up to bed. Santa was on his way, you know. Christmas morning we had to wait until 7am to wake Mom and Dad up. As a young child, I would march my little curly haired bod into their room, walk right up to Mom's side of the bed, and force her eyes open while saying "aaaawake!" .. that certainly woke Mom up. I would then go to the other side of the bed and do the same thing to Dad. 

Wrapping presents with my dad on Christmas Eve when I got older was always something I looked forward to. We would listen to Christmas music on the floor of my room while coming up with clever to/from for Mom's gifts. 

Baking with Mom always got me excited too. We used to have a "mommy and me" set of aprons from Williams Sonoma, so when I got to put my apron on, I meant business. Spending time with Mom in the kitchen during the holidays was (is) something I got excited about. 

Finger sandwiches and beer bread & dip at Nana & Granddaddy's was always a highlight for Kyle and I. We would HOUSE the beer bread and dip with our cousin Spencer, while cracking jokes and making comments. Never a dull moment with us. 

What are family traditions from your childhood?