Coutdown To Christmas {Linkup} || CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS ||

Morning, pretties. Before we get to today's post I wanted to say a HUGE THANK YOU for all your kind comments yesterday. I was  *this* close to not posting because I felt like such a ninny fussing about being sick, but dang it I was so frustrated I just had to put it out to the universe. I truly appreciate each and everyone of you and it seems that yesterday started the upswing of events and I'm on my way to normal. Hopefully I can fully kick this thing before Christmas Eve. Please keep up with your vitamins friends, I don't want ANYONE catching this nasty virus.

Moving on, today is our LAST Countdown to Christmas linkup and I honestly can't believe it. I've had so much fun writing my posts and reading yours, it has been such a great peek into everyone's holiday. The gift guides, decor inspirations, food inspirations and tradition posts have boosted my holly jolly spirit and I'm so sad the fun is almost over.

For my last post I'd thought I'd share some of my favorite traditions. Originally I was going to post about ALL of our Christmas traditions, but since this is Christmas week I'm just going to focus on our Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

Christmas Eve Pizza Dinner: This is new tradition that Le Husband brought to the family. Growing up he always had pizza for Christmas Eve dinner so when he celebrated his first Christmas with my family we did so too to give him a bit of his tradition. Mama B enjoyed not cooking so much we've created a new family tradition and it is one I quite enjoy now. #cheerstopizza

Christmas Eve Service: This service is my favorite service of the year. The church is beautifully light up, the music is gorgeous and message is such a joyous one to hear year after year. Sometimes I sing in the choir, but the past few years I've sat with the family and just enjoyed the service. Our first year of marriage, Le Husband and I were asked to light the Advent wreath as a couple and it was such a special moment to share together. Singing Silent Night by candlelight moves me to tears every year and is the perfect send off to Christmas morning.

Christmas Eve Photo shoot: The Kardashians have NOTHING on the Brady Bunch. Okay, well they have money, but we have the funnier poses. And outfit combinations. And zombie dance parties. We usually start off with the silly pictures then do our best to get a sweet family one for the next year's Christmas card. There have been some incredible gems over the past few years and I know this year won't disappoint. #welovepicturesyeswedo #lookatthebabyfaces

Christmas Eve Movies: Our last Christmas Eve tradition is watching A Muppet's Christmas Carol & A Christmas Story while preparing food for Christmas Day. There are quite a few sing along moments and giggle fests during each showing and it's fun to hang out in pjs with my favorite people. I also mix up a batch of Ina Garten's hot cocoa to sip on and it is quite possibly the best hot cocoa in the world. #lightthelampnottherat #tistheseasontobejollyandjoyousfalala

Christmas Morning Stockings, Brunch, Presents & Dinner: Every Christmas morning we get up [now later than in the early years] and sit at the top of the stairs while Daddy and Mama B start the coffee and the breakfast casseroles. Then we process down the stairs [order changes every year] and start the morning off with stockings from Santa. After stockings are done we take a break for brunch with mimosas and then we open up presents from under the tree. Once that's done it's time to prep the PRIME RIB for dinner and relax with A Christmas Story and football on in the back ground. We used to dress up for dinner, but recently we've just enjoyed being in our festive clothing and had a delicious casual dinner. Being a Mrs. now means Le Husband and I leave Christmas night and go home to exchange our own presents in our apartment, with a nice extra pop of bubbly.

Now it's your turn to join in the fun! Also linking up here here & here today!