Our 'Memories' Tree

Karla and I started a 'Memories' Christmas tree when we got married. In fact, our very first ornament was purchased in Hawaii on our Honeymoon.

It says, "Happily Maui'ed". That's exactly what we still are!


Each year, when we visit somewhere different, we pick out an ornament to remember that moment. Our boys have been a part of the process as they came along. So, tonight was the night that we pulled all of them out and put them on the tree.










We all gathered around and remembered each trip, each milestone, and the cute Christmas stuff they created throughout their childhood. It even brought to mind the many friends that have given us ornaments through the years.



The ornament on the right is from Monterey, California. We enjoyed going there this August when we attended Danelle Hurst Silveira's wedding (our niece). All four of us got to go! We rented a convertible and drove the 17 Mile Drive. WOW! It was beautiful. We enjoyed the company of Wendell & Linda Elms and Nathan & Ronda Hurst.

The ornament on the left, that you cannot see completely, is from the Gaylord Texas Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. I had the opportunity to speak at the Thrive College and Career Conference for two years. It was held at this magnificent place. It is really a place to remember. It is much like the Opryland Hotel, but it has the San Antonio Riverwalk recreated in it's atrium. The whole family was able to attend with me!

We drove through Crawford, Texas on one of our many trips to and from Austin this summer before moving. Of course, we wanted to catch a glimpse of the "Western White House" where President Bush lives while in Texas. We didn't get to see much except guards and gates! But it was neat to see where it was. We picked up this ornament to remember the stop.

We made a trip to DisneyWorld and Epcot in 2000. Cameron was 9 and Chad was 6. Cameron's birthday was actually while we were on the trip and so he had a special reserved dinner with the Disney characters! We rented a house for $100 a night that was brand new. It had 4 bedrooms, washer & dryer and a screened-in pool. It was just about 5 minutes from the theme parks. It was great! See-- the memories just keep adding up!

Here are the boy's "First Christmas" ornaments. The top one is Cameron's and the bottom one is Chad's. They have been so much fun at Christmas!

Here are hand-made ornaments that the boys constructed at some point along the way. They look so little! Time has a way of changing them - but they are still great!

I have a special one from this year that I will share in another post. It is from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. We were able to tour it in January of this year.

Oh....one more picture from tonight! Cookie just had to get in on the fun!