FORT DRUM, N.Y. — Being a military family sometimes means missing a loved one at Christmas.

“This year is the first year that I will have both of them old enough and aware of missing dad at Christmas,” said Emily Gibson, who has been through three deployments with her husband. He’s done five total.

"When you have to say goodbye to them and send them off to some place where they may be in harm’s way, that doesn't get easier,” she said.

Finding ways to keep the holiday spirit alive while overwhelmingly missing your husband and dad means starting new traditions.