Christmas and traveling, two of my favorite things. I don’t think many people think of Christmas while on vacation or traveling. But one of our traditions is to buy an ornament at the various places we visit as our souvenir.

We started this Christmas traditions when Madison was born in 2003. All of the ornaments go on a tree in our living room we have named.. The Travel Tree. So on November first every year, I start a crock pot of my Creamy Hot Chocolate (Click here for Recipe), we pull out the tree and its box of ornaments. We then proceed to reminisce for a couple of hours as we place each ornament on the tree. When Madison was 10, I brought everything down from the attic and she said “There it is… our box full of memories.”  She is right because as each ornament is pulled out of the box someone says “Oh man remember when we did that..”  or “This is Galveston and Hannah’s first RV trip.”  It is my favorite Christmas tradition.

This year was especially wonderful as it was our first full year with Hannah. We made many trips and so memories together. Each one was special and bonded us together as family. Here are our additions to The Travel Tree this year:

 

The White House Tour – Washington DC

 

 

George Washington’s Mount Vernon 

 

 

 

The Lincoln Memorial – National Mall

 

 

 

Declaration of Independence – The National Archives

 

 

 

Arlington National Cemetary – Tomb of the Unknown Solider

 

 

Ford’s Theater – Washington DC

 

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park 

 

 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 

 

Belle Meade Plantation  – Nashville

 

 

 

Loveless Cafe – Nashville, Tn

 

 

Wicked – (Hannah’s first musical show)

 

 

Passport – In honor our National Park Pass

 

 

Fort Matanzas – St. Augustine, Florida

 

 

Last but definitely not least:

 

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground – Disney World 

 

 

 

In 2016 my grandmother, who was essentially my mother, passed away.. I inherited her Christmas decorations. They are my most prized possession. All my happy childhood memories are tied to them and Christmas.  My hope is when my girls are grown and I am gone, they will inherit our “box full of memories” and continue this tradition together with there families.

 

 

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and from our family to yours:

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!