Un-Traditions

Becky has tagged me to write six random things about myself. But I think I did a blog similar to that a few months ago... and since I cheat, er change, the tags I do to what I feel like writing about, I'll just write six un-traditions my family has for Christmas.

1. Somehow, it is ALWAYS my mom's turn to say Family Prayer on Christmas morning. When you've got 4 little kids (or 4 big kids) excited to go see what Santa left them, there's nothing more agonizing than to have the most loquacious person in the house called on to pray.
2. As previously mentioned, my dad was an OB/GYN. He also was magically on call every Christmas of my growing up life. So, in addition to the lovely prayers my mother would offer, we had to wait until 9:30-10:00ish before Dad was home to start opening presents. By that time, we could hear the kids out in the neighborhood playing with their new toys. Unfair I tell you. And inevitably, half-way through the festivities, the phone would ring calling Dad away for another hour or two to deliver a Christmas baby, which left us kids sitting forlornly in the living room staring at our unopened gifts.
*Don't think for a second, though, that we would ever do present without our parents. We were anxious, but we had hearts, too.*
3. One year, it was just myself and one other brother home for Christmas. We waited a long time for Dad to come home, and started watching the movie Con Air. Then, Dad got home-but the movie wasn't over. So we had to finish. And by the time it ended, Dad was called away again so we waited a couple more hours to start gifts! But for the next few years, Joey and I would watch that movie together around Christmas time.
4. My parents always gave us Christmas Eve jammies. And the past few years they keep saying we're too old for such things. And the past few years I get angry that they say that. And they keep getting jammies. I love my Christmas jammies. Here's a picture of two of my brothers in Chinese jammies (another brother and his wife live there and my mom had him get them) from two years ago. Yes, the one on the right does have pants on. Yes, that is a normal pose for the both of them. And no, I still am not too old for Christmas jammies.
5. Instead of turkey for Christmas dinner, we have flank steak. Less mess and less time involved, plus it's one of my favorite foods. It's a win-win!
6. One of my dad's favorite Christmas songs is "Thistlehair the Christmas Bear," by Alabama. It's my mom's least favorite song. So every year, the day after Thanksgiving, that's the first song he puts on as we begin decorating. My mom grouses (but is a good sport) and we laugh. I think it's safe to say that "Thistlehair" has a special place in all our hearts.

So there you go. My un-traditions. I don't think it would be a real Christmas without them. I won't tag six people, cuz I know it's a busy time of year. But if anyone else does this, be it with traditions, random quirks, favorite Christmas foods....I'd love to know so I can read about them.

Merry Christmas!!!