The traditional Santa Hat picture is one of those annual traditions that my kids don’t know they love yet. Ever since AJ’s first Christmas, I’ve lined the kids up, stuck Santa hats on their heads, and made them smile for the camera. OK, I take that back. Not even I can make my kids smile on command. But every year, until they are living on their own and not home at Christmas time, I will make them do it.
Someday they will thank me.
This year, we didn’t take the traditional picture until New Year’s Eve, when we were putting away all of the Christmas decorations. I had wanted to take this year’s photo on the beach, but I didn’t bring all of the hats to Florida. No matter where it’s taken, or what the kids are wearing, I love looking back to see how much they’ve grown and changed year to year.
Do you have any similar traditions?
(gotta love the enthusiasm!)
2006
2005
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Blond Duck says
Popped in to say hi! How cute!
MamaM says
That IS a great idea!! How fun to look back!
Thanks for leaving me a comment today…I agree…integrity needs to be with us ALWAYS in life…not just online, not just offline!
Barb says
Oh my gosh I love that idea! So very neat!
stephaniegeezees says
Great idea…I'll definitely start that next year!
ecocheapmom says
LOVE this idea! I am starting this next year for sure. So cute seeing how they grow.
Stopped by from SITS!
Susan (5 Minutes For Mom) says
What a fun tradition. I wish we'd done that!!! Maybe we'll start next year.
~Susan
HaB says
What a very cute tradition!!!
susieshomemade says
What a great tradition! Your family is so beautiful:-)
Lolli says
Believe me, there are so many things that I did NOT do this year that
I wish I had. I know what you mean!
Brandie says
I sort of started that then completely fizzled. I am the worst at keeping traditions year to year. I am so concerned about having them that I forget to do the simple things that make the holidays great. GRR.
shopannies says
love it the stages of growth in santa hats
Megan B says
Great tradition!!
jenburiedwithchildren says
This is a great idea. I wanted to do something similar, have all the kids sit in front of the Christmas tree but I just remembered that I forgot to do that this year. Oh well.
Raise Them Up says
I loved your pictures! What a great tradition!
parenting BY dummies says
Just the fact that I take a picture is a tradition around here. We try to do a fun one every year that usually gets screwed up in the process. It's sort of an inadvertent tradition I guess. Very cute.
PineapplePrincess says
Those are such adorable pictures! :)
MyLittleMiracles says
That is so great! Once we can get the boys to look at the camera and smile and not smack each other or cry, we might actually have a tradition like this!
momstheword says
Oh I love this idea, so cute! Our children have had their pictures taken with Santa since our oldest was a newborn. Even though we never did the “Santa thing” we did take the picture and have never missed a year.
My sons are now 16 and 21 and they still head to the mall every year for the picture. In fact, a lot of parents love seeing my “big” boys there getting their picture taken and I hear them tell their children “See, those boys are getting their picture taken and they aren't to old!”
It is so much fun to see the changes in them over the years. Especially the teen years and the braces and all the changes that take place!
Cortney @ evanhaslanded says
Love that tradition!! I am just happy if both boys stay seated in their annual Christmas photo :-)!
theredheadriter says
Sometimes you just need to hear it… You are a beautiful woman, inside & out. You are an exquisite mother, who can make a way out of no way. YOU ARE A GREAT MOM !!! You are doing a fantastic job and are very loved!!!? ? ?? ? ? ? ? post this on the blog of moms…Mom's who always put their kids first and who balance it all. I just did!
Lolli says
I agree–it seems like it hasn't been that long, but boy have they
changed between 2005 and this year!!
Lolli says
OK–I take back what I just said to Cecily a minute ago…..maybe
there does come a time when it IS too late to start a new tradition! :)
loripeterson says
What cute pics! And wow…when you look at them like that you can really see how they have grown!
sheila_at_MaVieFolle says
Awesome, awesome AWWWWESOME idea! I SO wish I thought of this 19 yrs ago, lol.
Lara says
What a brilliant idea!
Lolli says
It's never too late to start a tradition! :)
Cecily R says
That is a FUN tradition that I wish I would have stolen sooner!!!
Lolli says
Thanks for stopping by! I love the tradition, even if the kids don't. :)
Christine says
What a sweet tradition!! Beautiful family:)
mamipicture says
Wow this is AWESOME!!!
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