Our Last Christmas Celebration of 2008 (in 2009)

Several years ago we started the tradition of my extended family (parents, sister and her family) postponing our Christmas get together to the Saturday after Christmas. Because my sister and I have divorced and remarried, our kids have "extra" parents so they have additional family to celebrate with. Also, they have all married now so they have in-law celebrations to add to the mix. So, in order to alleviate the stress of the "fun" of Christmas with all of those celebrations, my family decided to do our celebration after Christmas.

And today was the day. Our niece Megan and her husband, Matt, hosted our get together this year. This is their first family function at their home since they married last summer. They did a marvelous job! The food was plentiful and very good and the house was decorated beautifully. And everyone was there except for our nephew Joe and our niece LuAnn and her husband, Eric.

My family has fun together no matter what. That's one of the things I absolutely love about my family. We laugh harder and louder than any other people I know. Yes, it can be obnoxious at times, but I LOVE IT!! And today was no exception. The gift giving and opening was a fury of paper and "who's that for??" and "thank you!!" Afterward, the kids play with whatever they were given and the adults settle in to catch up with each other.

I got a little emotional this year. I guess it's because both my folks were ill during this last year and to have them both here, in pretty good health is the best gift possible. Also playing into it is that we only got to see them and my sister and her family today; we won't see them again for six months, when we get back to the East Coast in July. That's always hard for me. I truly like my family and miss being part of their every day lives. I thank God for technology - it really helps!

I'll leave you with some pictures from the day. Enjoy. Until the next time . . .

My folks