Christmas

So, I was just sitting here in the early morning quiet (with my sister back and a puppy, quiet is sometimes hard to come by) and thinking back on Christmas a few days earlier. I realized once again:

I'm lucky.

I have an amazing set of family and friends (the friends I don't get to see on Christmas, really, because there's not much time after the family stuff). My parents (all four) are amazing. I enjoy my time with them so much and lucky for me, I 1.) have all of them still here on this green Earth with me and 2.) they live no more than 30 minutes away. My siblings are great, too (all four). Each one is so unique and wonderful in their own way.

Spent the time between Christmas Eve and Christmas doing the following:

Christmas Eve, 2:45 PM

Left home with Emily, Kai, Azul, and Lauren and headed to All Saints in Dunwoody. You must get there early. We were stuck in the side bleachers for Children's Christmas Eve Mass. Yet another reminder that I'm not quite ready to have kids. Chaos. Shepards, angels, and a real live baby Jesus in the nativity scene. But so sweet to see all the little ones. And Kai looked mighty handsome in his little suit.

Christmas Eve, 7:00 PM

Giant meal #1 - Dinner with Dad, Amy, Lauren, Teresa, and Jeff. Amy makes the best roast beast ever! Homemade horseradish sauce, salad with pear and gorgonzola, and a chocolate cake as if we needed anything else to eat. Opened presents with them and watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation... it's a tradition, we must watch it every holiday season. Had a blast and slept like a baby.

Christmas Day, 10:00 AM

Went through our stockings at home - Teresa, Jeff, Miles, and me. Miles loved his toys and rawhide.

Christmas Day, 11:00 AM

Headed to mom's for Giant meal #2. Lots of family - Roses, Bowicks, etc. Yummy brunch, good conversation at the three tables and lots of wonderful gifts. Main entertainment was Kai on the drums. Best was him "drumming quietly." He did okay with it for a bit, but would gradually get louder and louder until someone like Grandma called him on it.

Christmas Day, 4:00 PM

Headed to Jeff's parents. Hung out, went through stockings, and ate giant meal #3. So tired by the end of the day. Day not over yet....

Christmas Day, 8:30 PM

Back home to open presents with David, Jeff and Teresa. Miles gave Jeff and David some good stuff (he's a good shopper!). So tired and full... slept like a baby again, til I woke up about 6:15 AM the next morning to go after Christmas shopping with the crazies.

Definitely some good times, good family, good food, good gifts, and good memories.