The Way I View “Holidays”

In our house, the holidays mean tradition. Our ornaments that remind us each of our pasts, both individually and as a family; our annual gingerbread house evening with Emily’s dear friend Nicole and her family have been a part of our Christmas since the girls were in preschool; our annual Christmas cookies that have spanned generations of Biniarz women… And of course my annual Christmas card photo of Emily, and our newest tradition, Holly!

But the actual holidays themselves? Well, because our family is spread out across the U.S., the holidays are different for us all the time. Sometimes we drive up to Oregon to be with Grammie and Grampa; sometimes it’s quieter, here at home; and still other times we head out to Minnesota to Grandma and Grandad’s house. But always we celebrate with my sister, and it always ends with lots and lots of giggling while trying to get an annual holiday photo (and see how even Rory got in the picture this year?)!

Then we headed off in the wee small hours of the morning to Grandma and Grandads’ house where we played with cousins, baked cookies, saw spectacular Christmas lights, shopped, and did lots and lots of visiting (and eating!). We really had a wonderful time!

This year we were treated to what just might be the most glorious, sparkly snow I have ever seen in my life! Luckily everyone was patient with me while I tried taking photos of snowflakes. I could have spent hours out there!

Next in our little circle is the gorgeous work of Leah Cook with her take on “Holidays”! And I am so excited that we have decided to stay together as a little group for another year. For our 2013 posts, we will be focusing on a genre of photography each month rather than on a theme. I can’t wait, as many of them will stretch me out of my comfort zone, which is a good thing!