All hail Punxsutawney Phil

For the Hillman family, Molly, Charlie, Allison (pictured, from left), and Tyler (not pictured), celebrating Groundhog Day is serious business. According to Allison, Tyler really likes rodents, and they decided Groundhog Day would be a big deal for their family. The family tradition began in 2014 with a groundhog onesie for Molly, a baby at the time, and groundhog-shaped cookie cutters to make sweet treats for Allison and Tyler. From there, the festivities expanded to include family Groundhog Day t-shirts, banners, and a variety of rodent-themed gifts. It is not unusual for the Hillman’s Christmas tree to stay up until Feb. 2, sporting groundhog decorations. One year, Allison’s aunt came for a visit on the night before Groundhog Day and brought a bottle of tequila, spawning Allison and Tyler’s tradition Groundhog Eve Giving of the Booze. To read more about the Hillman’s groundhog adventures, see Karen Vine Fuller’s article Groundhog Day Traditions. In case you missed it, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this year, so we are in for an early spring.

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