Christmas time: Oh the Traditions

I've been thinking  a lot about holiday traditions and especially this year, with it being Lilly's first. I want to do all these things for her. Its the beginning of a new stage in our family.

Make sure we get the right Christmas tree.

Or how are we going to make looking at Christmas lights special?

Or what can our family do that is special from all the other families?

But I think that is taking away from the ideas of traditions.

It is a memory that you had that you want to recreate and I think I am being too forceful with that.

Every year my family has gone to Apple Hill. And when my parents got divoreced I still made an effort to go to Apple Hill with either friends or Steven.

And this year I really wanted to take Lilly this year. 

Expose her to MY family tradition.

But we didn't go.

It rained every weekend. And then when it wasn't raining, I knew people would be up there cutting down Christmas trees, and well...now there aren't any apples.

I got so frustrated and overwhelmed!

What I ended up thinking about is what is a tradition? What does that mean?

It is a spontaneous event that was memorable and you want to recreate that.

Whether it be donuts on moving day. Or going to sushi after getting your Christmas tree. 

Its not a forced event or one that HAS to happen.

So this holiday year, I'm going to let the traditions happen themselves. And I will enjoy them as they come.

Do you have any favorite traditions?

Amy From Keepin' Up With the Smiths

 Today is a wonderful day! 

Why?

Because my girl at Keepin' Up with the Smith's is visiting. She is so precious and so is her adorable family. She is a great momma and has a beautiful heart. I met herthrough blogging and love her!!! I know you will too!

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Hey there Hurley Love readers! I'm Amy from keepin' up with the Smith's. I'm so glad that I get to be joining you all today! Like Hannah, I'm a new Mom myself. Cash

 was born at the end of March & is the 

best thing to have ever happened to us!

I met Hannah through blogging & am absolutely so glad that I did! She has one of the cutest blogs {& baby} out there & is one of the sweetest bloggers I "know". {I do wish I knew her in real life!}


Since being a new Mom, I have so many great ideas thanks to Pinterest & traditions that I want to start with my family. With fall right around the corner, what better way to start these traditions than with a trip to the apple orchard. That will be the very first thing we cross off our fall bucket list.

After the hard work of picking all those apples, why not treat yourself by making caramel apples! Look at some of these great caramel apple bars. Perfect for a fall party {another great autumn tradition}.

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As Cash gets older, each year will only get more & more fun. He will be able to understand & partake more in the traditions & festivities.

Another tradition that we are starting this year is getting our fall pictures taken. I love the rich colors of the leaves & adding people you love to such a beautiful setting only makes it better.

Another thing that I'm looking forward to, even more now that I'm a Mom, is going to the pumpkin patch & taking a hay ride to get there! Luckily for us, we live only a short distance from one. Once we find the perfect pumpkins, we will be off to carve & decorate them. Have you seen all the neat ways that people are carving & decorating their pumpkins? Thank you, Pinterest!

Now, this next tradition will obviously be for next year, but I can't wait to rake a huge leaf pile in the yard & just play. Tossing leaves up in the air, jumping in & out of the leaf pile of course with camera in hand!

I'm looking forward to these traditions plus so many others as we get into the Thanksgiving & Christmas holidays! What are some of your favorite fall traditions?

Thank you for letting me hang out with all of you today! I'd love to have you stop by keepin' up with the Smith's if you have the time. Hope to see you soon!

Til Next Time,

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Isn't she so cute?! Her son Cash is going to be so blessed by his momma! Don't forget to visit her amazing blog Keepin' Up with the Smith's..