Obviously he thought I was good this year, 'cause I made out like a bandit!!
We always start our Christmas celebration with Ricky's family on Christmas eve. Ricky, his parents, his two sisters (Tawnya and Janelle), Janelle's boyfriend/fiance/soon to be husband (not totally sure of the status on that one, we just call him Joe), our 3 month old nephew (Jeremy) and I gathered for a dinner of oyster stew and pizza around 7 on Monday. Oyster stew is really more like oyster soup, and it may sound odd but it's their tradition, which has become my tradition, and we like it.
After dinner we got down to packages, and Janelle played Santa, as usual. Ricky and I got some really great things - a new bread knife and a gift card to New Seasons from his parents, shirts for Ricky from Janelle and Joe, a starbucks gift card, mug and barnes and noble gift card for me from J&J, and milk chocolate bing cherries from Tawnya and Jeremy.
The best gifts, though, were the looks on Tawnya and Cheryl's faces when they opened their gifts. T has been wanting to take Jeremy in to get his portrait done professionally, so we all went in and got her a large gift certificate to Kiddie Kandids to do that. Additionally, I made a frame that matches the nursery theme (jungle).
Cheryl's look was probably even more priceless. The kids all went together to get her these square chargers she wanted for her new formal dining room. We included with it a large Pottery Barn gift card. She was stunned, and we all know she's going to go crazy with it after the holidays. She loves Pottery Barn, and with two new rooms to decorate she'll have a field day.
After opening, we all sat around chatting until about 11. It was a really great night.
Christmas morning Ricky and I got up and headed over to my mom and dad's to finish out our Christmas. We cleaned up there as well - a gift card for two nights at a bed and breakfast in Seaside, Oregon; tool sets for our vehicles (in case we ever break down - or in the case of our stupid car, when we break down); tickets to a Grease sing-a-long; and other fun things like clothes and books.
As if that weren't enough, there were gifts from grandparents! By days end we had several gift cards to various places, pajamas and shirts, Christmas ornaments, and of course the knowledge that we are both very loved (and very spoiled by everyone who loves us).
After our breakfast of sourdough pancakes (yum!!) we all headed out to "the farm," where my great aunt and her granddaughter live with the grandson-in-law and the two great-granddaughters. We visited with my exteneded family and played a new game (Faces, if anyone is interested - it's pretty fun). Then we left there for Ricky's aunt's house, where we visited with all of his extended family and joined them for dinner.
All in all we had a wonderful Christmas. I won't lie, the gifts are great, but more than that we enjoy the time we get to spend with our families, visiting, catching up, and just enjoying each other's company.
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