Matt Christmas, Dad Stuff, Holidays

TOP 10 NOT-SO-TYPICAL CHRISTMAS ALBUMS

Now that Thanksgiving is over and we are well into December, I have dropped my Grinchy attitude and have full-on embraced the Christmas spirit. Well, at least I’ve been jamming the Christmas tunes. In my last Scroogy post, I confessed my weirdo-ness and love for Christmas music. And in the spirit of Christmas I thought I’d share my top 10 favorite albums (in no particular order) that you’ve maybe never heard of. I cherish the Charlie Brown Christmas, and love Harry Connick Jr., Frank Sinatra, Mariah Carey and all the other favorites you’re familiar with, but they won’t be on this list. There are tons of weird and ridiculous albums out there, but these are a few unique ones that I genuinely enjoy and are part of our family holiday soundtrack.

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Matt Christmas, Family, Holidays, Japanese, Travel

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2015Christmas-Card-animate640We’ve been grateful to spend the holidays with Aya’s family in Japan again this year. Last year we spent half the time being sick. This year has been much healthier and we are enjoying spending the time with family.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!

Matt Christmas, Family, Holidays, Japanese

SANTA CHAT

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Tensions were running a little high one evening. The kids were tired, a bit cranky, and not very enthused about the dinner I had made. To perk their moods up a bit I thought I’d ask some questions about Santa.

“Hey, are you guys excited about Santa this year?!” I asked with a wide-eyed smile.

“Yeah!” was their joyous response.

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Matt Christmas, Dad Stuff, Holidays, Outings

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS…

IMG_8089 editI’ve never felt the desire to get that classic shot of Ellie sitting on Santa’s lap every year. You know the photo. The one where Ellie would be in her fancy holiday dress, bows in hair, and I’d be hoping for that adorable perfect moment when she’s smiling in wonderment but most likely be shrieking in terror. Yes, that photo. I’m not against it, it’s just never been my thing. Aya never had this tradition as a child, and I really don’t remember liking it too much either. I know I went a few times, but the experience wasn’t lasting enough to remember it too clearly. So it wasn’t something important for me to do it with Ellie.

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