Passing on Holiday Traditions

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the holidays have always excited me but now that i popped out a child, excited is an understatement. “…but it’s atlas’ first <insert holiday here> so we need to get every. single. decoration!” that sentence may have been muttered by me every time we go to target.

i am grateful i grew up in a family that embraces the holiday ambiance so i am less about all the gifts being exchanged and more about the environment. my husband and i have been talking about what traditions we want to include from our families for our own expanding family.

one of the holiday traditions that we do on my mom’s side of the family is making ‘dutch letters.’ my grandma is dutch, and while it is a labor-intensive process, the process and the product make it worth it! they are filled with almond paste, which is basically my love language.

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we will probably wait until next christmas to get atlas actively involved since right now she can mostly contribute drool, her adorable smile, and grabbing things and never letting go.

atlas-smiles

since my younger sister and i don’t live in the same state, it’s always fun to see her and spend time with her in person, whether it’s making dutch letters or catching up on life.

one of the things we always do is compare hair routines and hair products. it has taken us both many many years to embrace our curls (her hair is like three times thicker than mine and with kinkier curls). we often sample each other’s hair products when we are together because we both know how difficult it can be to manage our wild manes.

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i realize that i haven’t filled you in on the fact that my sister had her baby too! guess what: i was totally wrong and she has a little GIRL!!!! her name is elizabeth and she weighed 9lbs 9oz at birth and my sister delivered her naturally – so impressive! i am beyond excited for our little girls to be best friend cousins!

kendal-and-izzy

our girls are meeting this christmas! We have already talked about how hopefully they both get our curly hair so they can continue on with the tradition of exchanging best hair practices as well as grievances with unruly hair.

since i am all about the holiday environment, why not up my holiday spirit game with hair products too!? i’ve been using the delicious smelling Garnier® Whole Blends™ Color Care with Argan Oil & Cranberry Extracts hair products and i keep smelling my hair. is that weird? probably, but it’s the truth.

as i’ve mentioned previously, life with a newborn isn’t for the faint of heart. the way i have been keeping my sanity, especially with the holidays rapidly approaching, is fitting in my daily shower.

i know, it sounds crazy, but truly: a shower is my new luxury. the luxury was either continuing to buy/stir Adams natural peanut butter or take a daily shower – shower won (and everyone is grateful). tt truly keeps me sane and is time for solely me so i want to be using products that make me happy!

Garnier® Whole Blends™ are gentle, nourishing formulas without parabens so i can actually wash my hair every day, which is sort of a big deal. when you have curly hair it can get overly dry when using shampoo daily but i haven’t found that while using these desserts, i mean products.

whole-blends

you may be surprised to learn that no, i don’t get my hair professionally dyed in order to put my gray highlights in there. no joke, i have had three separate strangers ask me if i got it done because apparently gray hair is trendy now.

however, i still love Garnier® Whole Blends™ Color Care with Argan Oil & Cranberry Extracts, which is specifically safe and nourishing for color-treated hair, because it also makes me nostalgic. it’s not just any argan oil but actually moroccan argan oil, which reminds me of our adventures through morocco last year! plus, it makes my hair super smooth without me having to use the messy oil on its own.

be sure to check out the other Garnier® Whole Blends™ specific for what you are looking for or simply go to your local grocery store and spend a few minutes sniffing each one. you will not be disappointed.

it is those little moments that make life beautiful, particularly around the holidays. it’s the kneading of dough, the meeting of cousins, and the new memories created together. life is too short not to be surrounded by happy scenes, good scents and a loving (matching) family!

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what moments and traditions are you most looking forward to over the holidays? tell me in the comments for a chance to win $100 Visa gift card!Entry Instructions: 

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63 Comments

  1. Emily

    November 16, 2016 at 6:39 am

    As much as I love Christmas my favorite holiday was Fourth of July. We would always go to the lake house and be with your family. I love those memories and know how blessed and special it was to be a part of that. Love you and your family. Can’t wait to meet Atlas and Elizabeth.

  2. Ashley

    November 16, 2016 at 6:50 am

    Awwww so excited for your girls to meet! That will be so cute!! This year for the holidays I’m most looking forward to hanging out with a new member of our family- I have a new niece or nephew due at the end of November YESSSS 🙂

  3. Audrey

    November 16, 2016 at 7:23 am

    I was just about to ask if your sis had a boy or girl! That’s TOO exciting for you guys! And I love your curly hair, but your mom’s hair is so smooth and straight- who did you guys get it from?? Seriously though, curly haired babes are the cutest 🙂

    I love decorating the tree and having my brother home and opening stocking with K and the dogs on Christmas morning. I also love our Christmas Eve service at church- it always puts me in the loving, thankful mood!
    Audrey recently posted…Chats with K (Roadtrip Edition)

  4. Debra

    November 16, 2016 at 7:54 am

    Love Dutch Letters! They are so yummy !! One of my fondest memories from my childhood.

  5. Jennifer Haston

    November 16, 2016 at 9:25 am

    I love this post.. mainly because I love this picture of Atlas!! SO cute! My lord! Okay, so now that I got that out of the way, I should tell you that your daily ritual of taking a shower, I am totally stealing! and this holiday season is a weird one.. because we are changing things up. Thanksgiving normally brings us to San Angelo to see jeremy’s grandparents *just for the day* since Jeremy and I both usually have to work Black Friday.. and then for Christmas we see Jeremy’s mom.. but THIS YEAR, we are seeing his mom on Thanksgiving and then the following week, going to see my Mom in New Orleans (brand new tradition) and then for Christmas we will get spend a few days with his grandparents as neither of us needs to go back to work right away.. So excited.. Christmas tradition I love is opening one present on Christmas Eve. Also on Christmas even, We go to the children’s hospital and give some toys to the sick kiddos. It always seems a great way to remind us be grateful and content and to give back.

  6. Vivien

    November 16, 2016 at 1:17 pm

    Congratulations to your sister for having a baby girl! Girl cousins! 🙂
    Vivien recently posted…Teamwork and Leadership

  7. Emmy Goodwin

    November 16, 2016 at 5:47 pm

    My favorite part of the holidays is baking cookies! I also love going Christmas light hunting with the kids. Just driving around town looking for cool lights. 🙂

  8. mami2jcn

    November 16, 2016 at 7:23 pm

    I’m looking forward to watching the kids open gifts.

  9. mami2jcn

    November 16, 2016 at 7:24 pm

    tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/799075731972177922

  10. Natalie

    November 16, 2016 at 8:06 pm

    My favorite tradition is making Christmas cookies as a family and hosting a cookie swap!

  11. Natalie

    November 16, 2016 at 8:13 pm

  12. Julie Wood

    November 17, 2016 at 5:17 am

    I am looking forward to making Christmas cookies with the kids, going to see Santa, putting up the tree, and going to the lights and festival show in my town. So many traditions that I have with the family!

  13. Julie Wood

    November 17, 2016 at 5:17 am

    Tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/799224970157006848

  14. Sara

    November 17, 2016 at 11:27 am

    I’m looking forward to our first Christmas as a married couple. My family has always been huge on holiday traditions, while my husband’s family isn’t so much, so I’m looking forward to sharing those and creating new ones together.
    Sara recently posted…Date Night Inspiration

  15. heather

    November 17, 2016 at 3:33 pm

    I am looking forward to the tradition of making Christmas cookies with mom over the holidays.

  16. Elena

    November 17, 2016 at 3:34 pm

    I am looking forward to bake some Christmas cookies with my family

  17. heather

    November 17, 2016 at 3:34 pm

  18. Mita

    November 18, 2016 at 10:15 am

    Love making Christmas cookies as a family.

  19. Mita

    November 18, 2016 at 10:16 am

  20. Lisa Brown

    November 19, 2016 at 6:54 am

    at the moment I do not have any holiday traditons

  21. Lisa Brown

    November 19, 2016 at 6:55 am

    tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/799974213800968192

  22. Kelly D

    November 19, 2016 at 3:26 pm

    I look forward to the holiday dinner that we have at my parent’s house every year.

  23. Kelly D

    November 19, 2016 at 3:27 pm

  24. Jessica To

    November 19, 2016 at 5:00 pm

    I’m looking forward to my son helping decorate the Christmas tree. He’s getting old enough where we can have fun doing it together.

  25. Madeline

    November 20, 2016 at 10:09 am

    I’m looking forward to having family over on Christmas Day for a delicious meal and exchanging presents.

  26. Madeline

    November 20, 2016 at 10:10 am

  27. Jessie C.

    November 20, 2016 at 10:15 am

    I am most looking forward to decorate the tree and bake cookies with my family over the holidays.
    tcarolinep at gmail dot com

  28. Jessie C.

    November 20, 2016 at 10:15 am

    tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/800386742117396481

  29. Susan Smith

    December 7, 2016 at 12:01 pm

    I’m looking forward to putting up the Christmas tree and my whole family helping out decorating it.

  30. Susan Smith

    December 7, 2016 at 12:02 pm

  31. Pingback: When Becoming A Mother Isn't What You Expected • the new wifestyle

  32. Elle

    December 19, 2016 at 10:56 am

    I look forward to putting up decorations, especially hand made ones that we save from each year.

  33. Elle

    December 19, 2016 at 10:58 am

  34. Kristen

    December 23, 2016 at 10:16 am

    I always look forward to seeing everyone open their gifts on Christmas morning.

  35. Kristen

    December 23, 2016 at 10:16 am

  36. Elizabeth pergande

    December 23, 2016 at 12:03 pm

    I just love the time we get to slow down and spend as a family. time off work and good food make it so special

  37. Elizabeth pergande

    December 23, 2016 at 12:03 pm

  38. Heather Lopez

    December 23, 2016 at 5:47 pm

    We love having family over on Christmas Eve. We also love decorating the tree, playing Christmas music, and drinking hot cocoa.
    Heather Lopez recently posted…Last Minute Gifts + Giveaway with Teleflora- Ends 12-22-16

  39. Jeffrey

    December 24, 2016 at 4:14 pm

    I look forward to seeing family that we don’t get to see very often. We always have Christmas dinner at our house so that is something I can’t wait to do. Seeing my boys’ faces on Christmas morning will never get old!!

  40. Jeffrey

    December 24, 2016 at 4:15 pm

  41. Kenia

    December 24, 2016 at 9:23 pm

    I look forward to making handmade ornaments with my girls and baking cookies.

  42. Ellie Wright

    December 28, 2016 at 8:12 pm

    My favorite tradition every year is my husband and I baking together. We make rum cakes for our friends and family.

  43. Ellie Wright

    December 28, 2016 at 8:12 pm

  44. icefairy

    December 29, 2016 at 1:42 am

    I most look forward to spending time with my extended family.

  45. angie

    December 30, 2016 at 8:10 am

    I most look forward to the extra time with my partner, the decorations that add so much sparkle to often dreary days, and the food! OMG the food! hahahah

  46. angie

    December 30, 2016 at 8:11 am

  47. Thomas Murphy

    December 30, 2016 at 3:18 pm

    I like baking cookies every year with my family.

  48. Thomas Murphy

    December 30, 2016 at 3:18 pm

  49. Latanya

    December 30, 2016 at 6:51 pm

    getting with my family on Christmas Eve for a dinner party

  50. Latanya

    December 30, 2016 at 6:52 pm

  51. Stephanie Phelps

    December 30, 2016 at 6:56 pm

    I am looking forward to the tradition of us all loading up in the car and getting our Christmas tree together!

  52. Stephanie Phelps

    December 30, 2016 at 6:56 pm

  53. Barbara Montag

    December 30, 2016 at 9:51 pm

    I always look forward to our tradition of seeing a Christmas show/play during the holidays.
    thank you

  54. Barbara Montag

    December 30, 2016 at 9:51 pm

  55. Tabathia B

    December 30, 2016 at 10:07 pm

    I am looking forward to my kids wearing their christmas pj’s and crockpot breakfast and watching christmas movies

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  56. Tabathia B

    December 30, 2016 at 10:10 pm

    tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/815059055051948032

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  57. Jennai

    December 31, 2016 at 12:25 am

    I am looking forward to seeing my family — we don’t get together than often, so it’s a real treat. Oh, and the food, too!

  58. Kathryn C

    December 31, 2016 at 1:44 pm

  59. Kathryn C

    December 31, 2016 at 1:46 pm

    #SweepstakesEntry – comment

    favorite holiday moments are meeting at my mom’s house for her delicious Christmas dinner buffet spread

  60. Kathryn C

    December 31, 2016 at 1:47 pm

  61. Heidi B

    December 31, 2016 at 7:49 pm

    One of our favorite traditions is viewing holiday lights in our jammies in the minivan while drinking hot cocoa and listening to songs.

  62. Heidi B

    December 31, 2016 at 7:50 pm