The Sunday before we had the Cardons and Pears over for our own special Christmas dinner and gift exchange:
Tuesday night was the annual "Nertz Nerds" (long story on that title) gathering with gift exchange:
Wednesday night was Christmas Eve. And it was a TIRED Christmas Eve because we had stayed up so late with the friends from the night before. Totally worth it. Hunter and I and my family were at Auntie Toni's house for traditional beef brisket and Auntie's assortment of Christmas cookies!
This is what after dinner looks like. ^^^
Christmas Day was a dream. I remember waking up and just thinking "I am so happy. Things are great." Hunter and I opened our stockings together. This year we had planned a large gift for the both of us. So we had no surprises or presents to open besides stockings. Which actually was so great. I like this tradition- we might keep it up.
Then we headed to my family's for breakfast (eggs, sausage AND bacon, rolls, orange juice and amazing Colombian hot chocolate). Presents was so fun. I love that we get so many gift exchanges. I like them equally for giving gifts and getting them.
Back to our house we prepped the cheese and truffle platters to head over to the Garners. We showered and got dressed while the brie cheese baked. :-) The Garner's is it's own amazement in itself. I love the house packed with happy kids dressed in Christmas pajamas or outfits playing with their toys. Mikah ran up to me and grabbed my legs in a huge hug. She burst telling me about her new bike! She had even brought it over to grandmas- haha. So we went outside to look at it. An hour later she said "do you want to see my bike again?" Of course.
The cheese and meat and nuts and fruit is probably one of my favorite parts of the day:
The gift exchanging at Garners lasts hours. It's fabulous.
We spent the evening having a bon fire and treats at Grandma Dorothy's and Linda's. Linda planned this family gathering since it is Great Grandma Dorothy's 100th Christmas! Holy cow! We sang Christmas songs around the fire. Then we tried to let off 100 paper lanterns, but the wind made it too dangerous. We almost caught two kids, me and the neighbor's tree on fire. Yikes! haha. But it was still so great to visit with everyone- family we usually don't see on Christmas Day.
Back to our house for the 11th Annual Hot Cocoa Party. We were SO TIRED. Our day was nicely paced and we never had to rush anywhere which was SO NICE. But still it was a long day! We are glad we had a smaller group this year for Hot Cocoa Party. But even the 20 people or so that came- they stayed the whole time! We love this tradition.
My heart is so full even two days later now as I reflect on our blessings. This year is especially wonderful since we are expecting our own baby boy. I feel an increase of peace already as I have so much love for my baby already. Life is wonderful.
No comments:
Post a Comment