No..we're not German..but

...it has been a tradition of ours for about 7 years now:) BTW you may want to get some food and water before you read this post..'cause it is a long one!

*The Story of the Glass Pickle Ornament*

The pickle ornament was considered a very special tree decoration by many families in Germany. There, the fir tree was traditionally decorated on Christmas Eve. For good luck, the pickle always was the last ornament to be hung on the tree with mother and father hiding it in the green boughs among the other ornaments. When the children were allowed to view the splendor of the decorated tree on Christmas morning they would gleefully begin searching for the pickle ornament. They knew that whoever found that special ornament first, would receive an extra little gift left by St. Nicholas for the most eager child.

So..this year (since she is a little older), Mattie received her very own pickle! We do it a little different here on Georgetown Drive. Each child has there own pickle. We hide them on the tree and then when they find a pickle, they get to open a gift early..as in today:) Mattie's wasn't hung on the tree, she found hers in the box that it arrived in! Maybe next year it will be on the tree?

Mattie's gift was her very own recliner! I just couldn't stand it anymore..I had to give this to her today:) She loves it! I'll bet she has climbed in and out of it at least 100,000 times today.

Rich hid Trae's really, really well:) He told Trae's that his was not necessarily on the tree..it could be anywhere in the room..but it was in the tree:) Rich had it wrapped inside a tree limb..it was almost impossible to find!

Whoa! How did that get in there? *wink* Kidding! I love the mistletoe..I think I will keep it hanging all year long:)

This afternoon..Rich took us to Opry Mills Mall..surprisingly..it wasn't that bad today? We found a gift for Gram..and I found a gift that I would like to have next year. These people from Bethlehem were set up in the mall..and they sold Nativities, etc. made from olive wood..I think. Anyhoo..they have this Nativity set for $175.00 that I would like to have..lots of pieces..and the baby Jesus comes out of his bed..this is exactly what I have been searching for..but this new tradition will start next year. I want to start setting up the Nativity piece by piece, day by day..then on Christmas morning..we can lay the last piece..baby Jesus in his bed to complete the Nativity. I read this the other day somewhere and thought it was a sweet idea.

We enjoyed dinner at Macaroni Grill..then we went to Opry Land Hotel and looked at all the beautiful Christmas lights. They have the largest Nativity display..it was beautiful..I'll bet there was 30+ statues there..all in white.

Nighty..night:)