Blog #3

       Sitting here and actually thinking about all of my family traditions, it's crazy how long we've been doing the same things. For as long as I can remember our routines have been the same and I don't think they've ever even changed one time. Having a big family can make it tricky to get to spend a lot of time together on holidays, but that time is very special to me and I'm glad I get to do it. 

       On Easter each year I go to my great aunt and uncle's house on my mom's side for lunch and then we go to my grandma's house on my dad's side for dinner. For lunch we have ham, multiple side dishes, and my cousin is always sure to make her famous deviled eggs. When I was younger, my sisters and I would be the ones searching for eggs, but now that I'm older my aunt has me and my younger sister hide the Easter eggs for all of my little cousins. I love to do this because it's fun watching them enjoy themselves while trying to find the eggs. After we leave their house to go to my grandma's, the first thing we always do is have an Easter egg hunt in her living room. This past year was actually the last time I got to be a part of it because she only hides them for you until you're 18. Once we're done with that we have dinner, which is some more ham, but there is no way I could mind having ham more than once in a day.        

       

       Every year on the 4th of July my mom's side of the family goes to my great-grandparents house. This side of the family has gotten quite large throughout the years, but we still manage to make it work in my grandparents tiny house. We've always gone to their house because my great-grandpa's birthday is on July 5th, so basically our Fourth of July party is just a birthday party for my grandpa. I hope we get to continue doing this for years to come because it will always be something I look forward to and enjoy getting to do. 

       Thanksgiving is just like Easter because we go from my aunt and uncle's to my grandma's. We go to my aunt and uncle's and have your typical Thanksgiving food; Ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, etc. I always try to eat the least amount that I can, so I can save room for my grandma's, but it's very hard. At my grandma's we eat the same things and we always go around and say what we're thankful for. My grandma puts a card at our place setting to write what we're thankful for on it along with the cards we've written on from previous years. 

       For Christmas we celebrate with many different people. The Saturday before Christmas we always go to my great aunt and uncle's house. We always have prime rib that my uncle gets us from his work and it's always incredible. After we eat we have a girls and guys gift exchange. Sometimes I choose not to be a part of it, but it's still fun to watch because everyone in my family just makes it a really funny game. On Christmas Eve, we go to my grandma's house. As soon as we get there my cousins and my little brother are always begging to open presents, so usually that's what end up doing first. Then, we eat either prime rib or roast. My grandma even always has "poppers" set out at our seat and when you pop them there's a little toy inside and a paper hat. I couldn't tell you why she does this, but it's just always neat to see what's inside it. On Christmas Day, my parents, sisters, brother, brother-in-law, and grandma just stay in our pajamas and relax all day after opening our presents. We always have a big steak lunch and just hang out and enjoy family time. 

       I love all of the traditions my family and I have and I don't want them to ever change. I do know at some point they will end up changing, but for now I'm glad to have things the way that they are.