Christmas Traditions

Since living in the South for awhile now (over a decade including school - can you believe it?) I have had find new traditions since my family is so far away.  In college my BFF's family always took me in as one of their own for smaller holidays when I didn't get to go home and it was soo nice to have 'family' to be with.  They still treat me like family - and its so great to have all these sisters now (after growing up with only brothers around).

The first year Eric and I lived in our house, Brandy (the BFF) invited us to go Christmas tree hunting with her and Dave.  They live just over an hour away -so we met them in Gilbert and hunted our Christmas trees.  Then we did it again last year, and this year we pretty much cemented it as a new tradition.  Pictures of her growing family (with our dog!) and each family in front of the coveted 'tree of the year' for their household.

Josie and Wes last year with Mason

 
Josie and Wes this year with Mason

This year Brandy's sister Erica and her husband Matt joined us too!

 

(aren't they just too cute?!?  They got married the weekend before Eric and I and are already expecting baby Houston in January!)

We searched a bit longer (b/c in true Moore style we WERE of course late)...

(Jojuice helping her daddy read the map and tell us where to go)

Reindeer Josie

Last year it was Reindeer Wes

Its always fun to compare the pictures from year to year - and see how much the kiddos grow (and Brandy shrinks!  :)    Last year....

 

and this year...

Eric and I didn't change too much (neither did Mason)

Although this year, I did finally give in to the 'Southern Christmas Tree' (or bush - lol!) and get a Leyland Cypress.

Which was fun for Eric b/c he got to cut it down.  Last year we just pulled it out of the tent (lol!)  Not exactly what you drive an hour to a Christmas tree farm to do!  In true "A Christmas Story" fashion, Eric made us time him cutting down the tree (its kinda his thing after taking down most of them in our backyard!) and had the whole thing done in a matter of seconds (even with Dave pushing the tree the wrong direction trying to slow him down! - See!  It really is family - giving each other a hard time!  :)

I love our new traditions and having such amazing friends to make them with.  We are truly blessed.

Loving the Christmas Season and new traditions.  Merry Merry!