This is a photo taken before the Christmas madness descended upon us. The pressure of having the perfect holiday did intrude a bit, I admit. And as yet no Christmas letters have been written, half my decorations are still in their boxes, and so much else just never got done.
We DID have a wonderful Christmas Day, complete with all three of our kids, my MIL, and my nephew Colin. We whooped it up from early in the morning (well, 9'ish) till well into the evening. John had received a free ham at work, and we feasted on that plus homemade (and very yummy) Au Gratin Potatoes, fresh Green Beans, Rolls, and many and various desserts.
Tonight, we have my parents, Colin's parents (John's brother Alan and wife Barbara, in town from Amherst, Mass), my sis Ann and family, and my MIL. We are having our FREE turkey (obtained at John's work at Thanksgiving and since residing in my MIL's freezer), mashed potatoes, carrots, rolls, and many and various desserts. Should be great fun, too.
And then the present exchanging will begin (taking back shirts that don't fit, etc.)...but that's for tomorrow. We have so enjoyed having the kids home, and hearing all the teasing and laughing, that we hate to actually do much when they are around. There is such joy around our house right now, it's hard to believe. What a grateful woman I am to have such a wonderful family.
I'm so glad you had a happy Christmas. It sounds like you managed to let the stress stuff sit on the side lines and enjoy your family. Yay for you.
Posted by: Arlene | Thursday, December 28, 2006 at 07:47 AM
It's fun to have everyone home, isn't it? For us, it was too short with my son leaving for Florida on the 26th. Glad you all were together and had fun. That's what it's all about - half my decorations are in the boxes, too!
Posted by: Loretta | Thursday, December 28, 2006 at 06:20 AM
Sounds like a wonderful time! Hoping I get a chance to see you (either in PDX or Davis) in '07. ;) Best wishes to you and yours for the coming year.
Posted by: Marilyn | Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at 06:49 AM
Your day sounds perfect! ^-^
Just as good I decided not to make the trip thisyear...my brother and his family got stuck with the gift of 'no power' for 6 days, and when I talked to my SIL yesterday, she sounded totally exhausted. The 3 older kids were excited because they were having peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Christmas dinner....LOL
Posted by: Leslie | Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at 08:52 PM
I too gave up a lot of my own personal "perfect" holiday just to have the family all together. I normally listen to lots of Christmas music, but the girls wanted to watch movies together--so we did that instead. It was wonderful! I'm glad that you had such a great Christmas; it really is all about the people, and not the decorations.
Posted by: Margaret | Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at 07:18 PM