Memories

Since I can't post any pictures of creating our current memories I thought I would write about the past. This time of year always evokes plenty of powerful memories for me. I have been thinking of them as I try to help Emma create hers. There is something about childhood that makes this season brighter and I think it is such an important time for parents to play on. Here are some of the things I remember about Christmases past... Grandma and Grandpa C parking their huge motor home out front and waiting for them on Christmas morning with their two dogs Skippy and Benji. Then Grandpa making sure I came up and sat right next to him and give him a kiss. Endless stories/poems from her ranch days from Grandma C as well as plenty of animal rummy and the like. "Ice skating" at the elementary school when it froze over. Getting my first Cabbage Patch Kid, Melinda, when I was 5 and being so excited I thought I would burst. Going to see the temple lights and the peace of the nativity and movie in the visitors center. Putting our hands in the icey fountain there and then climbing up the stairs to look out on the dazzling city while feeling so small in such a big world. Going to Fentons and eating so much ice cream with Donna's family. Running around crazy and dancing with Jeff and Scott while listening to the Chipmunks Christmas music. Mystery gifts from Grandma C. I specifically remember the year it was an electronic fortune teller and the next year was sewn boxes and fish with Hershey kisses. Jeff singing "Holly Jolly Christmas" too an exhausting extent. Grandparents F driving up and helping unload their Styrofoam coolers. Grandma F bringing olives and putting them on our fingers. Grandpa F pretending to cut my hair with his fingers then reminding me my birthday was next ignoring the fact that his was first. Making tons of "snow" with our tiny shaved ice maker to put on the deck in hopes we could trick Staci that it snowed in CA. Daniel wearing my favorite Strawberry Shortcake pajamas while standing too close to the fire and melting a huge hole in the back. Christmas Eve watching the missionary program. Dad teaching me how to put lights on the tree. Hiding candy canes deep inside the tree so we could hunt for them after. The brilliant colors and lights that we drive around and see in Livermore and at Bob's world. Jeff and I trying to make our house look glamorous and putting up tons of planned out lights. Back to Bethlehem. The year Emma got her giant stuffed dog and ran out and layed on him. Same year my 18 month old Tasmanian devil got the huge dictionary of dogs and that was the only thing she would stop destructing to do is look at that. Waiting for Jeff and Dan to call us when they were out of the country. Nights I couldn't sleep mom would let me go lay by the twinkling tree lights in the living room and starring at them for hours while it was dark and quiet. Getting stuck in a snow storm in a Utah canyon with my roommates and brother and being so happy my brother was there to drive for me. Riding our bikes to the local mini mart and buying tons of candy to make a "candy land" in the play room complete with a chocolate river and lollipop tree. Knocking on peoples' doors and leaving treats then running. Mom making magic bars and my favorite peanut butter kiss cookies. Planning and putting on a Christmas play with Heather and then Amber getting sick and having to leave. Playing the flute at my Christmas concerts. Staying up late painting a porcelain mouse for my mom not realizing it was the color orange I was using. Sitting with Dad on the brown chair and watching the original Christmas movies. Peppermint Hot chocolate. Mom taking us to Pak n' Save so we could pick out lots of candy to decorate graham cracker houses. Setting up a secret message/phone system on string and then another throwing notes with Scott and Jeff for us to use room to room when we were supposed to be in bed. Going to the Christmas tree farm to cut down our tree and riding the swing benches. I have many more but for now that will do. I have started lots of traditions for Emma and I. Now I am curious to know what things she will especially think about with fond memories. Time will tell.