I enjoyed all of my family being together for Christmas! If we didn't do anything it would have been ok, .......but we DID DO things.
We have a tradition of playing darts & we are a very competitive. I always buy about 30 small gifts, but things people would trade for. I usually take a part one of the Cost Co Bath Sets and wrap each individually. I get golf balls, pocket knives, watches, that sort of thing for the men, and I always something the grandkids would want. This year it was hand held games of Solitaire and Trivial Pursuit. So there is plenty to choose from. Oliver won the grand prize, a decorative serving bowl....very pretty.
Then we gathered around the table and enjoyed a Prime Rib dinner. It was fabulous. I was a little nervous to cook it, but it turned out so good. And of course we had the baked potatoes, Pistachio salad, green been casserole, rolls, and all the side trimmings. Dessert was pumpkin pie, or apple pie.
Then we cleared off the table and got the dishes done, and gathered around the tree and exchanged gifts. I am so grateful for my children. You are the best. Always so appreciative for each gift. You take the time to recognize the gift wrapping done with care and pretty bows. You are thoughtful when you get things for each other. A lot of thought goes into the gifts. I am so happy as your mom to watch you all enjoy each other, laugh, and tease, and love one another. The highlight was opening the package from Liz. We each got slippers, towels, & scrubbies. She couldn't let the box not be full so she included more wonderful hand made gifts for us. Everyone was anxious as the box was opened and the names read on each card for every person. How thoughtful you are Liz to do that for me and my family. A million thanks from each one of us.
Then more games and more snacks to finish off the evening. Oliver gave Nikki a game called "Things", or something like that. It was so much fun. We all laughed our makeup off and could hardly breathe we were laughing so hard.
Varce had to settle us all down to gather around the tree and read to us from Luke 2 the birth of Jesus Christ. And that is the greatest gift for us all from our Father in Heaven.
Then the Ritters headed for home, and the rest of us went to bed, with visions of sugar canes dancing in our head.
What a wonderful Christmas Eve it was... from start to finish. :) I might be a bit biased but I think I have the best family in the world. They are my strength and my support. I love how we stand together as one. As brother & sisters we always have each other's backs and we all support our parents thru good times and bad. It has not always been this way but over the years we have grown to love and appreciate each unique quality we all bring to our family. I love each one of them inspite (and sometimes because) of their quirks. :-) Thanks for another great Christmas! And a special thank you goes to Aunt Liz for her awesome thoughtfullness and love in the package she sent. You're awesome Liz... and my toasty warm feet send you happy gratitude too. :)
ReplyDeleteLove, Nikki