Family Photo 2012

I decided our photo location would be at Corona Del Mar.  Sienna's friend took this picture for us.  After looking through a multitude of photos, I chose this one for our Christmas cards.

I wish my daughter would smile more.  She never seems to be happy, anymore.  Most of the time, she was off frolicking with her friend.  

We ended up stopping at some park dedicated to the Military and it was set up for Veteran's Day.  There were many American Flags lining the walkway.  It was a little bittersweet.  I was just glad I was with my family.  

It's rare we all get together anymore.  My daughter being a teenager is too cool for us.  My sons are so different in age, one liking being home on the internet all day and the other loves running around outdoors.  Their dad works a lot.  So do I.  We all hardly see each other, anymore.

Christmas Pickle

I saw this Christmas Pickle at the local Dollar Tree.  It came with a little description on how to use it.  I felt like it was a cute new tradition to add to our household.  Even after everybody is grown up, I am still going to have the Christmas pickle around.  It's so cute and quirky.

Supposedly, it is a German tradition, though none of my German friends have ever heard of it.  I wonder if it is more German-American?  Or something new in Germany? 

Either way, it states you should hide the pickle in the tree before the kids come to the tree to open their gifts.  The first child to find the pickle can open their gift first or receive a reward, be it money or a treat.  How neat is that?

Personally, I like this way better than Elf on a Shelf.