Christmas 2013

In my family growing up Christmas was always a big production.  Lots of people, noise, food, and wrapping paper flying all over the place.   It has always been an occasion to celebrate with all the extended family.  As adults, Christmas has continued to be a several day event with having to see extended family and immediate family on both sides.  This year being just the 6 of us, in our own home, was a unique experience.

I have always loved being around lots of family, but I will admit I was also the kid that needed a time out from all the chaos and would go to my room alone for a minute or two.  As much as I love being around people, I have always been the type to love my own company too.  I happened to marry someone exactly like me in that respect.  Dennis and I can sit and watch TV or read books and never talk to each other and both be perfectly happy.  And, we also both like time alone by ourselves too.  So, I have to be honest that even though we knew we would miss seeing family and all the festivities, we were also kind of looking forward to a quiet Christmas with just our family...no traveling with kids and presents, kids getting to wake up in their own home, and kids having time to actually enjoy what they opened up with out feeling rushed to get to the next house.  Usually, they are off schedule and not sleeping as well, so they are cranky and tired on top of feeling rushed.

Christmas Eve was really nice.  We usually can't find time to get to church between being at Grandma Bridgers house Christmas Eve and then having to rush to Meghan and Eric's house Christmas morning after presents.  So, I usually get stuck having to stay up late and going by myself to midnight mass with maybe a sister or two, if I can convince them.  This year, I was able to go with Colin and Evan to mass at 4:30, which was a real treat (Dennis stayed home with Logan and Leah, since she has to stay home for the next few months).  After church, Dennis made a nice dinner for us of linguine with clam sauce and then we sat together as a family and watched a Christmas movie and ate a white chocolate popcorn mix that I had made.  It was a great family moment.

The boys were so excited for Santa to come.  They put out a cookie for Santa.  Actually, they put out an orange and a cookie, because Colin had overheard on the Today show that Santa was watching his weight this year.  He left a note asking Santa to "Choose which one you want".  The boys went straight to bed and were so excited to see what presents they would get...

The boys woke up at around 7, I think.  We made them wait until Logan woke up (everyone has been sleeping in a little over the vacation), and then we all headed downstairs.  They were confused to see that Santa actually ate both the orange and the cookie!  Colin was thrilled to get the big boy bike "with gears" that he had been asking for.  Evan got a DS, which he was also thrilled about.  Logan was most excited about all the Mickey Mouse stuff he got.  He is our first kid to be really into Mickey Mouse.  Best part of Christmas morning was letting the boys stay in their PJs and play with their toys and not have to go anywhere.  I made a yummy french toast casserole for breakfast and then they just played and played all day.

For Christmas dinner we had ordered a ham dinner with a bunch of sides and blueberry pie from Whole Foods.  It was delicious!  Christmas 2013 was wonderful and a great family time for us.  But, Dennis and I both agreed that we would be back in VA next Christmas.  After all, as nice and peaceful as our Christmas was it didn't feel like Christmas with out all the chaos, noise and festivities!