~Aloha~

So here we are in spending Christmas in Hawaii waaaaaaaaay back in 1985. We won a trip thru a local radio station to the beautiful Turtle Bay Hilton on the north shore of Oahu. We thought it would be weird spending Christmas in Hawaii...but it didn't matter where we were...as long as we were together...the true aloha spirit~! Mele Kalikimaka~! =)

~Joy~

Seeing these pictures brings true Christmas joy to my heart. Truly amazing how the years seem to pass with the blink of an eye~ I treasure each and every Christmas memory and I am soooo very glad I have pictures like this to remind me of it's most precious moments. I hope this season brings you tidings of comfort and JOY~!

~Future~

Here are Jim & Cassie opening up their Bridal Tree Ornaments. According to tradition, the tree of a newlywed couple should include these 12 ornaments to insure blessing and happiness for their life together.
ANGEL- God's Guidance in the Home
FISH- Christ's Blessing
ROSE- Beauty and Affection
RABBIT- Faith & Hope
TEAPOT- Hospitality
PINE CONE- Fruitfulness
SANTA- Unselfishness & Goodwill
HOUSE- Shelter
FRUIT BASKET- Generosity
BIRD- Happiness & Joy
FLOWER BASKET- Good Wishes
HEART- True Love
May their future life together be filled with all these elements and more~!

~Present~

Present...did someone say presents? =) Actually...in honor of Christmas PRESENT... here are our stockings hanging by the fireplace in eager anticipation of Santa's arrival on Christmas Eve. The little stocking in the middle...is for Baby Jesus...who always gets a present and is the first one that is opened on Christmas morning...to remind us of the true reason for the season~!

~Past~

Christmas IS family~ Just like the ghosts in A Christmas Carol we must remember past...live in the present...and look forward to the future~ so in honor of Christmas past...here I am playing with my grandad on Christmas Eve waaaaaay back in 1955...ok so maybe I am trying to steal a cookie from his mouth who knows =) No idea what Todd is doing either...but we are playing with my grandad and that is the most important thing of all~

~Joy~

Who says you have to be a little kid to be excited about Christmas? Isn't that the beauty of the Christmas season...that it turns us all into little kids so we can truly experience the wonder and joy of this most blessed season~

~Kissmas~

And now back to our regularly scheduled Christmas layouts =) This layout was made using my girl Krystal's latest kit...isn't it gorgeous~! And to top that off I used one of Jill's awesome templates cause I am now an official member of JZ Designs creative team...two amasing designers on one page....BONUS~!

~Soaring~

Jim is soaring high while sitting in a little kiddie photo op plane during our recent trip to Arizona... totally cracks me up~! And I am soaring high on cloud nine cause this layout was named THE hot layout of the day over at Elemental Scraps...first time using one of my girl Meredith's kits and look what happens...hope you soar thru your day too~! =)

~Family~

Christmas is family...Christmas is fun...Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year~!

~Birthday~

What better way to spend my birthday than brunch at the beach with my family....

pure bliss~

~Tannenbaum~

~It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas~ come on...sing along =) Here is a layout using one of Chrissy's awesome templates showing our recent tree trimming antics...love love LOVE this time of year~!

~Snow~

The advantage of living in So Cal is that we don't have to live in the snow...but if we want to play in it...it's only about an hour away. So neither rain... nor sleet...nor snow will keep us from having fun~!

~Treasure~

Me and my doll house that my dad made and my mom furnished waaaaaaay back in 1960...I treasure this and sooooo many other wonderful Christmas memories...I just LOVE this time of year~! =)

~Joy~

It's December 1st and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here! Jim & Cassie came home for Thanksgiving and the outside lights are all put up...the Kincade houses are all arranged and most of the indoor decorations are done...all that's needed is the Christmas tree~! Happy happy joy JOY!