CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 17 The McAmis family, unlike the family in 'A Christmas Stor y,' actually plan their Christmas Day meal at a Chinese restaurant because mom Karen's family did the same back in her native North Dakota. Above, they share a Nov. 19 meal at Sushi Court. From left are Collin, 12; Karen; Wilson, 8 (no, that's not Ralphie); Langdon, 11; and father Jason. Chinese food, finding a tree Karen and Jason McAmis hale from the Black Hills of South Dakota, where their families are close friends. Karen heads the children's ministry at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, and Jason is a command sergeant major at Fort Bragg. Among the traditions they brought from home is eating at an Asian restaurant aer Christmas Day church services. No, they are not mimicking the Chinese dinner scene in the movie "A Christmas Story." ey came by that tradition honestly. Karen's father was a pastor in South Dakota. Aer the Christmas service, the only restaurant open locally on Christmas Day was a Chinese restaurant, Karen says. "We kept the tradition when we got married," she says. "We still take the boys out aer Christmas service." e McAmises have three sons: Collin, 13; Langdon, 11; and Wilson, 8. When their mother asks each to name their favorite part of Christmas, Collin and Wilson say, without hesitation, eating Chinese food. Langdon likes driving around looking at Christmas lights. e Lakewood neighborhood, Arnette Park and Segra Stadium are a must-see adventure for the family. Even during deployments, Jason has been able to join his family for a Christmas meal together. Karen and the boys are on one end of a live-stream, and Jason, with his military-supplied meal, at the other end. e McAmises love cutting their own Christmas trees, so trips to B&D Tree Farm on Elliot Bridge Road or Doby Tree Farm in Cameron are part of their holiday preparations. It's a tradition they brought from home: Christmas trees abound in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Of late, they too have celebrated in matching Christmas pajamas — if only, Karen and Jason emphasize, because they are annual gis from his mother. "We always look for new things," Jason says. "e only thing we miss is the snow."

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