The Christmas Ornament Tradition

The holidays come with some of our favorite traditions. One of those favorite traditions is the giving of our yearly Christmas ornaments. It started with those very first ornaments, Baby's First Christmas. Each kid started with one. And every Christmas since, we've added to their growing collection.
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The tradition is a simple one, a new Christmas ornament the tells part of their story. That means that with each year, as they grow, we look for ornaments that represent their year. It might be a sport, a hobby, an instrument, an accomplishment, or some other success or milestone. Whatever it is, we try to find an ornament that best represents that activity and their year. It's a special memento to mark their year and celebrate experience throughout that year.

Amy's Ornament from the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.

Jay's new Chicken Pail to represent his flock of Chickens.

Each Christmas we take a walk down memory lane reliving memories, telling stories, and remembering. This tradition allows us the opportunity to share and re-share special times and moments from our family story. It's often a sweet time of being together. Even sweeter, as Amy and I (Jay) look at the tree we remember what led to that ornament and the moments we shared as a family. 

This year Breya had to opportunity to try something new. After years of watching the brothers play their sports, Breya was able to take her first dance class. Over the summer, Breya was able to sample the possibilities when she attended a week of classes that introduced a different style of dance each evening. At the end of the week, she chose to take a ballet class. So this fall she started taking a weekly class to help her learn ballet. So far she has loved every minute of the class.

Ballet Slippers to celebrate Breya's year in Ballet.

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Asher's little red tractor for cutting grass.

Living on 2-acres of land means there is a lot of grass to be cut. For the first summer we cut the property with a walk behind push mower. The second summer we upgraded to a set-propelled walk behind. This past summer, we were blessed with a mowing tractor. Asher loves to drive around the property cutting grass. He's always more than willing to get behind the wheel and do a little grass cutting! So this year, Asher's ornament is a red tractor to signify the first summer of Asher's tractor "driving".

Aiden joined the track team this past spring. He participated in a number of running and jumping events. It was his first season, and he had a lot to learn. But he practice hard and gave it his all. We think he enjoyed it, but even more, we believe he enjoyed spending that additional time with his older brother, Nate. Either way, it was fun watching Aiden competing is something new. He plans to rejoin the track team in the spring and we're okay with that.

Aiden gives track and field a shot as a freshman.

Nate's painters palette to celebrate his first commissioned work.

This was an exciting year for Nate. He did well in football, basketball, track, and he graduated from high school. Anyone of these accomplishments warrant a new ornament or two. But this year ornament celebrated something new and exciting. This past summer, Nate was hired out to paint a massive mural on the wall of a local dance studio. It was his first official commissioned piece with he completed with a friend from school. So a painters palette represents his year

Logan took another big step towards independence and adulthood with the purchase of his first car. He did all the research, visiting of dealers, reading of consumer guides, and consideration of fuel economy. After a number of test drives he settled on a Ford Focus. It's sporty little car that fits his needs perfectly. So, to celebrate his first car, a Ford Ornament now graces the Christmas tree. 

It's fun to take a minute or two to look back and think about the things that helped to shape the year, and to consider how life is shaping your children. It's equally as fun to hunt for an ornament that speaks to the year. 2018 was a great year. But what happens to the ornaments when the kids move out? Well, the ornaments go with them! That's part of the fun of this tradition, we get to watch their collection grow then the collection goes with them. They get to keep their treasures and memories to use on their Christmas trees as adults.

We shared in a number of adventures that made the year sweet. We also crossed a number of important milestones along the way. As we think about this Christmas season, the reality that our kids are quickly becoming adults is more real than ever. It's causing us to slow down, to think a little more intentionally, and to take advantage of the time that we do have with them. We often say that we want our kids to WANT to come home for the holiday's, to get excited about seeing each other, and to look forward to spending time with each others families. I (Jay) dream of the day when all five kids and the families are gathering in our living room opening gifts, laughing, and sharing in the season of Christmas. It will be a sweet time together.

​Merry Christmas!

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