Christmas Kickoff

Black Friday. No, I don't normally participate in this materialistic, hard-core shoppers high holy day (usually because I'm broke as a joke), but today, due in part to the persuasion of my mother and some super-dee-duper deals, decided to head out at 4:30 a.m. and indulge. We made 4 stops (one being to fill up the gas tank) in under 2 hours. I spent $54 and got Elijah's Christmas totally done. Some of that $54 also went to buy myself 2 yummy fluff-lined hoodies, a much needed floor sweeper, a 4 GB memory card, and a pair of slippers for Manny. Pretty successful if I do say so myself.

Enough about that. From today on it will no longer be known as Black Friday.
I have decided.

Starting now we are creating a new Gutierrez Family Tradition and renaming this day CHRISTMAS KICKOFF DAY, (and this weekend Christmas Kickoff Weekend) commemorated by the following:

• Cranking up the long awaited Holiday tunes! (Manny's favorite)
  
• Setting up, lighting, and decking the Christmas tree
• Putting out all the decorations
• Hanging stockings
  
• Baking home-made cookies
• Making a crock-pot of hot apple cider
  
• Lighting the cinnamon, pine, and cookie scented candles
• Putting lights up around the house
• Hanging wreaths on the doors
• Swapping out my regular Fiestaware for Christmas dishes
• Setting the dining room table with pretty red and green linens
• Spending plenty of time with the Grandparents and Greatgrandparents
• Cooking (and eating... duh) a delicious meal with our family
• And last but NOT LEAST... dancing the CHRISTMAS KICKOUT DANCE while laughing hysterically and remembering/missing "uncle" Moxi. :)
  

(And taking pictures all the while)

I am excited about having a family tradition to share with Elijah each year as he grows up. And I look forward to adding to this list every year.

Some other things I hope to do with him during this holiday season are...

• See the lights at Garvin Park
• Go caroling
• See Handel's Messiah (ok, maybe Elijah can't do that. but I can)
  
• Go sledding (if we get snow)
• Make home-made ornaments
• Make caramel corn
• Attend a cookie exchange
• Count down with an Advent calendar
• Celebrate St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6th)
• Read the Christmas story as a family

There you have it... and now it's my bedtime. Tomorrow we have a busy day of cooking and eating ahead of us. Can't wait!! Holidays are so much fun!!

In other news, a gazillion congratulations to my friend Courtney on the itty-bitty baby in her tummy. :) Yay for her!!! (oh... and Will of course. hee hee.)

P.S. Elijah cut his top "eye" teeth yesterday I think. Or it might have been the day before yesterday. I am SO glad this round of teething is over finally!