Christmas Memories 4 and Future Plans

It started with the year my sister Carey couldn't come home for Christmas.  She lives in Alaska, and airfare isn't exactly cheap.  So, instead of shelling out big bucks for Christmastime prices where the whole visit would be rushed, she and her husband opted to come down the following summer instead, but stay for longer.

We had Christmas as a family as normal, minus Carey and PK.  But, my mom just can't enjoy Christmas if all her chickens aren't home.  Truth be told, it wasn't the same without them for me, either.  So, when the summer rolled around and our Alaskan family returned to us, we had Christmas again.

In July.

Complete with presents, Santa stockings, Christmas cookies and carols.  And squirt guns.





And the strangeness of our Christmas holidays has continued on...

Last year was minimal.  Mom made us all wear jingle necklaces and bracelets... which wasn't too bizarre.  Except for the men who complained about having to wear jewelry.

This year... Mom has decided we need to have THEMED Christmases.  We're starting with Hawaii.  When I was home last weekend, I helped her hang blowfish balls from the kitchen chandelier.  I'm not making this up.  Instead of jingle necklaces, we're all being lei'd.  She's got grass... things for the boys to wear.  I can't wait to see what she comes up with to get them to wear THESE.

Mom and I brainstormed lots of ideas for future Christmas themes...  Oregon Ducks, Victorian, Southern Rebel, European.

Personally, I'm looking forward to the Star Wars year.