The light parade…I love this family tradition.

Every year, our family attends Spanish Fork’s Light Parade.  It doesn’t matter if it is raining, snowing or freezing cold, we are there. We sit in the same place all bundled up in warm clothes and plenty of blankets. I love this tradition but what makes it even more incredible is watching  it with my sweet niece.  Brylie gets so excited about everything and anything.  She absolutely loves Christmas lights.  She screams and cheers…it is so fun to watch.  I love experiencing Christmas through her eyes.  Her laugh and excitement is contagious. 

When Brylie noticed the train approaching with fireworks coming out of its smokestack, she screamed, “We need to tell Papa. He would love it.” My dad had to work and was unable to attend the parade with us.   I love our Christmas traditions.  They make me smile. 

~Michelle

P.S.  I am grateful for Brylie’s contagious love for life, 

Favorite Things Friday….I love traditions!!

Some of my most favorite things are…

traditions!

Some of my most favorite things are traditions.  I love traditions and we have plenty…from Easter egg hunts, to camping on Memorial Day weekend, to fireworks (with plenty of popcorn and licorice) at Art City Days, to fireworks and softball tournaments for the Fourth of July…the list goes on and on.  I love spending time with my family doing all the crazy things that we do.  For the past several years, on the day after Thanksgiving, we attend Spanish Fork”s Light Parade.  No matter if it is cold, snowing or windy, we are there.  We sit in the same place every year curled up in a plethora of blankets trying to stay warm.  It is quite the adventure especially when Brylie is involved.  She screams, cheers and waves at the parade participants pass by.  This year, the train (pictured above) was  struggling with it’s smokestack.  The train engineer was trying to make the fireworks come out of the smokestack.  When he finally succeeded, Brylie screamed and cheered him on.  It was like he made the most incredible invention.  It was awesome.  She makes everything so much more fun!!!  Aw…what a great adventure.  I love traditions.!!!

What are some of your traditions?  Care to share?  

~Michelle

P.S.  I am grateful for traditions!

I broke a tradition!!

I broke a tradition tonight. Am I sad? Am I happy? HMMM!!!

This tradition started several years ago. For the past several years, on April 15th, my mom and I would drive to the local post office at approximately 10:30 P.M. I would hand the envelopes containing my income tax over to the clerk. In return, she would smile (or growl) and drop them into the HUGE bin of other envelopes waiting to be sent to their destinations.

BUT, this year, I broke tradition. I filed my taxes electronically this evening. One day early!! Am I sad that I broke a tradition? HMM!!! I would say that it is a bitter/sweet feeling. I am so glad that I can mark another task off my mile long list but, I am sad that I won’t see those familiar faces tomorrow evening. Maybe...just maybe...I will drop by the post office tomorrow evening at 10:30 PM.

Happy Tax day tomorrow!!

....it is all about traditions...

Tonight, my family (well, only a few of us--others chose not to come) went to the annual firework show for Art City Days in Springville. I have been going to these fireworks ever since I was a little girl. In fact, I could positively say that I probably have never missed a firework show in Springville since I was born. Let me share with you something...I really do not like fireworks. My parents tell me that I use to SCREAM during the whole firework show. I think that the BOOM scared me and still kind of makes me cringe. So, you can see, I have never liked fireworks...BUT, I hope I NEVER miss a showing.

The reasons why I hope I never miss a showing are as follows...

1. My family is there and I love being with my family!

2. Traditions are not made to be broken...they are important aspects of life and heritage!

3. The loud noise of the firework exploding in the sky is not as bad as it use to be!

4. Mom always brings popcorn and licorice to eat!

5. The colors of the fireworks are amazingly beautiful!

6. The fireworks showing means that summertime has just begun!

7. The expression of excitement on little Brylie's face was worth the BOOM of the fireworks.

8. There is not any other place better to be on a summer night...then...OUTSIDE!

9. The finale...not because it is the end...but, the amount of colorful fireworks that go up into the sky is the most incredible sight ever!!

10. But, most of all for tonight's fireworks show, the best thing was the scream of delight and the clap of the hands from little Brylie when the fireworks finale was over. That is what I would call PRICELESS!!!

I am grateful for this particular tradition!!! I would have to admit...I do love a firework show because that means I am with the people that I love!!!