Happy Hanukkah!

Tonight is Cheeks' first night of Hanukkah! I have so many great memories of Hanukkah growing up. My sister and I would wait on the couch in the family room while my Mom and Dad would go into their closet to pick out our gift(s) for the night. We'd light the menorah, and open gifts. The gifts that stick out in my mind from childhood are (in no particular order):

1. Red Schwinn 10-speed
2. Yellow Sony Boom Box
3. NKOTB Christmas Album
4. Amy Grant Album
5. A box of stickers (I don't know why this stands out, but it does - and I remember we had dinner at BagelLand the night I got the box of stickers!)

I am excited for Cheeks to form these same memories and pass them along to his children. Tonight he will get his big boy chair. After he goes to sleep, I will clean the house in prep for the big Hanukkah Hurrah dinner on Saturday, and I will wrap the remainder of his Hanukkah gifts.

HAPPY HANUKKAH TO ALL!! :)

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

We are a lucky family - we celebrate both Hanukkah AND Christmas! I am very excited for Hanukkah and Christmas this year with Cheeks and Doc. This Saturday, we are having the family over for our annual Hanukkah Hurrah! My mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, niece, aunt, and uncle will be coming to our little townhome to celebrate, eat, and open presents! I normally stress out about where people will sit - but not this year, this year my only focus is on making sure Cheeks has a fantabulous time opening his presents and eating his chicken, carrots, and matzoh balls!!

The first night of Hanukkah is actually Wednesday 12/1 this year, but we always have the Hurrah on the Saturday night during Hanukkah to allow me time to prep everything while working. Thank goodness Doc is here to help with the prep! Can't wait to post pics. But this Wednesday, Cheeks will get his first Hanukkah present - A BIG BOY CHAIR!



So we have our Hanukkah traditions. Christmas is a whole new ball game this year though! Even though Cheeks is only going to be 9.5 months, he is going to bake cookies for Santa with his Mommy! I want to put out cookies and milk every year before he goes to bed. Baking is something I love to do - and it is something that I want to build into our holiday traditions. Maybe we will take a drive and look at lights on Chrismtas Eve..hmmm...note - must discuss all of my ideas with Doc!! In the meantime, here are a couple of holiday pics of Cheeks: