The Big Christmas Post

I’m so glad I didn’t do this yesterday.  It was sunny and dry, and the house was in shambles.  Today the house is clean and there is a light snow falling, making the mood better for reflection.  Christmas was, well, Christmas.  Full of moments of rushing, panic, unpreparedness, beauty, connection, wistfulness and magic.  Sof keeps saying, “More party mama?”.  Girlfriend loves a party.  I think mostly because that means there might be dishes of candy out.  We started out partying Thursday and haven’t really stopped.  When you’ve got this much time off it begs to be filled with get togethers. 

Our Thursday party to start us off was with our “friends who are family” the Johnsons.  This is a topic I haven’t blogged about because it just wasn’t time, but it’s unavoidable now.  My best friend married Mark’s best friend and we’ve walked through life together for 20 years now.  It was unique and special and a relationship to be cherished.  Unfortunately this fairy tale didn’t have a happy ending, and they are now getting divorced.  It’s been heartbreaking for them, for us, for our children and siblings who were so interconnected, and for the extended family.  It’s a wonder that we didn’t need flood insurance for the tears that have been cried in our house.  As with all tough things in life though, we have to accept it and move on to find a new normal.  What we all agree on is that we love these beautiful kids of ours and nothing will change that.  For them, we will continue to have our Christmas and other celebrations, even though we miss Aunt Stephanie.

     

   

Look natural guys.  Very funny.

Emily(my sis), Ellen(Brian’s sis), Lee(Brian’s mom), Me

  This is as wrong as it looks!

       

           

This was the beginning of my eating, drinking, and general overindulgence.  I’ll let you know when I get to the end of it.  It doesn’t seem likely it will stop soon.  It still feels completely normal to have Pez for breakfast.

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Christmas Eve we do open house style, stop by on your way to other parties, eat and drink as much as you’d like but leave by 6. 

      

     

   

You:  Oh my, those are gorgeous girls.

Me:  Why thank you, yes they are, and talented, smart, and kind.  Even the uncooperative one on the right.

After 6 it’s the usual cast of characters(Mark’s Dad,Sal, and Don) for dinner, champagne, and gifts.

 

   

Before, during, after…

 

 

Here’s to Christmas Eve 2011, cheers!

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Christmas day is my family, at my sister’s house.  It’s official, my sister is a real hostess.  She’s had 2 of our parties so far, and one to come in a couple weeks.  I’ve always hosted everything, and I’m happy to hand some of it over to my little sis!  Hello party world, my sister has arrived:)

There’s lots of presents to be opened this day.  Everyone was VERY happy with their loot. 

          

It was the year of hats.  These cuties came from Grandma Ree and Poppy in Connecticut.  LOVE them.  Seriously, so cute.

These came from Grandma Linda and Papa Curt.  The girls wear them like a hair accessory not a hat!  I think Lexi slept in hers!

    

Sof was dying to try out her bubbles, cue the new hat!

 

The big gift this year?  iTouches.  Lexi, Livy, Kaitlyn, and…

Yup, Sof.  Girl knows how to work it better than I do. 

 

 

A running watch for me, and a photo book for Grandma Jackie.  Gotta give my mom a shout out.  She found the elusive crayon maker for Lexi, and bought Sof’s iTouch on Christmas Eve after I changed my mind.  Yes, she was one of those crazy women in the 80’s that trampled people to buy as many Cabbage Patch kids as she could get her hands on, then sold them to the neighbors. 

The middle girls were all so cute.  They used their gingerbread stationary to write cards to everyone.  I love that they were excited to see what each other had written, and took the time to read it together.

 

Livy especially took her time doing her cards.  This one is so cute, it says:

Grandma, I know I spelled Grandma wrong, and I know you can read it, so lets get to the good part. Merry Christmas!

The rest of the night was spent with everyone on their electronics:)  Kindles, touches, phones, and iPads, oh my!  Next year we may just Skype in Christmas.

 

Oh yeah, Sof got this dance outfit from Emmy.  When she puts it on it transforms her into a ballerina.  She LOVES it.  Like, wears it every night and has even slept in it loves it. 

Phew!  Christmas 2011, that’s a wrap.  Our fun is not over yet.  We have a whole week of vacation still to fill up.  Bring it on!