Christmas 2014

As has been usual for the past few years, we hosted Christmas Eve dinner at our house. My parents, brother, sister, Chris's parents, and Chris's brother and sister-in-law came. It was a nice dinner, planned mostly the evening before: salad, ham that was brined then given a delicious glaze, broccolini with bechamel, baked potatoes with a sour cream sauce, store-bought rolls with butter, and a vinegar-y cranberry sauce (which I didn't like but others did). Andrew, Lucy, and Patrick opened presents from Chris's parents and brother & sister-in-law after dinner: Lucy especially liked the horse for her dolls, Patrick loved his new, very large truck and Thomas pjs, and Andrew got a used Nintendo DS which was originally his cousin's. We took some pictures and then my dad, brother, sister, and Chris took Andrew and Lucy to Christmas Eve Mass. I set Mass to be recorded on EWTN to watch on Christmas day. My mom stayed with Patrick and me while Chris's mom cleaned up before going to a later (maybe midnight) Mass at her own parish.

Patrick, Christmas Eve, c/o myself from the recliner

On Christmas morning, we got up around 8 (as has been usual since Christmas vacation started) and we opened stockings at our house. We then went to my parents' house (since they live 5 minutes away) for a good breakfast (eggs, bacon, several bread options including monkey bread, fruit salad, orange/grapefruit mix, coffee, and juice) and opened gifts over there which was fun. Upon returning home, Chris got the kids dressed and ready to go to my grandmother's to celebrate:

my family at gma's Christmas caroling c/o my mom

Lucy, very excited to receive Frozen! c/o cousin's hubsand

While they were gone, we got a visit from one of Chris's sisters and her family on their way down to see Chris's parents for the day. Before and after their visit, Chris and I (from Lucy's bed) went through all of the kids' clothes and shoes. He organized the kids' drawers, closets, and also the changing table. The 2nd day of Christmas, we went through every single toy in the house (from the shed, the living room, the kids' rooms, the floor, and their Christmas presents) and put it in one of four piles: keep in the house, keep in the shed, donate to Goodwill, or trash (for those things in not good enough condition to donate). We got rid of a third to half the toys in our possession, many of which had been hand-me-downs or the kids never play with. Christmas presents all stayed and were assigned places to go.

For the 2nd day of Christmas, the kids went to visit my mom's family with my parents, brother, and sister. For the 3rd day of Christmas, my mom and sister took the kids to the zoo with my cousin's family who was in town for the week:

my sister keeping my kids in the panda line c/o my mom

zoo lights c/o my mom

For the 4th day of Christmas, I went to sit on my mother's couch to do some work on my laptop, watch the Redskins lose to the Cowboys, and greatly enjoy Jack the Giant Slayer before coming home. Chris took the kids to my grandmother's for Sunday football, s'mores, the playground, basketball near the playground, a bridge game, dinner, and red velvet cake for my aunt's birthday.

s'mores on 12.28.14 c/o my cousin's husband

I think one of the most disappointing things about missing Christmas with family was all of the other events that I missed beyond Christmas day with my extended family, which was difficult enough to accept. Two days before Christmas, I missed tree trimming at my grandmother's with my cousin's family.

gma & 5/7 of the greats on 12.23.14 c/o my mom

I'm thankful that my parents and sister were able to help out so much with the kids, making it possible for them to see my extended family and for my extended family to enjoy spending time with them and watching them open their gifts (even if it meant my not going). I also appreciate that my mom, sister, and cousin's husband took so much pictures so I could see how much they enjoyed themselves.