Tis the Season 2011

Christmas was festive again this year.  We left for Suffolk on Friday after work and drove straight to Paul and Courtney's house for a visit and some delicious leftovers from a dinner they had hosted the night before.  We always have fun over there and the kids make it especially entertaining.  We also gave Courtney her Christmas present, a DVD of their family year in review in photos set to music and a tripod so they can capture photos of all five of them together.  

On Saturday morning, we awoke and I realized that none of the items I had ordered online to be delivered in time for Christmas were going to arrive.  While I was on the phone wanting to cuss the USPS worker and the FedEx worker out, Jeff and Marshall drove over to Paul and Courtney's house to get our boat and drive it back over to the house.  In the afternoon, Jeff and I went on a recon mission to buy gifts for James and Chase since theirs weren't going to arrive.  Bass Pro Shops was our destination, of course, and I also stopped into BJs to grab some ingredients for an appetizer for the spread we would feast on before going to church.  

Back at the house, Kathy was preparing a smorgasbord of food items for the annual Christmas Eve appetizer feast.  There was cocktail shrimp, meatballs, ham biscuits, cheese straws, my cheese and olive platter (see below), cheese and crackers, stuffed tomatoes, a veggie platter and more.  The family started trickling in around 3 or so and we visited, ate, then visited more, then ate some more...

At 6 we went to Church for the Christmas Eve service and then it was back to the house for more visiting, and yep...more eating.  Jeff and I whipped up a quick oyster stew to add to the rest of the offerings.  Before everyone left, little Sam and Aaron gave us a concert that included "When the Saints go Marching In" and Sam's rendition of the Jewish wine blessing.  So funny.

We were sleepy after all that eating and Santa was coming overnight so we were all off to bed at a decent hour with visions of sugarplums in our  heads.  What?  Why do I even say stuff like that?  I was out like a light as soon as my head hit the pillow.

On Christmas morning, we were up reallly early and Jeff, Marshall, Kathy and I opened our stockings together in the room Jeff and I were sleeping in.  We got lots of fun and useful surprises and then left to get to Scott and Amy's house before little Chase man woke up.  We were all ready with the cameras and flip videos as the little munchkin came downstairs, peeped over the couch, and then jogged over to the new surprises waiting for him by the mantel.  Santa brought him a tricycle and several toys, but my personal favorite gift of his was a punching bag that looks like a UVA football player.  He delighted in punching it and tackling it and we delighted in watching him.

After breakfast, we set off for Paul and Courtney's so we could see how excited James and Jenna would be about their new monster trucks and ATVs.  They certainly were really excited and it was so fun to have them show us all their new loot.  The best part was watching little Jenna drive her ATV around the neighborhood while trying to talk on her new walky talky at the same time.

After our time with them, we drove back to Marshall and Kathy's house to open our gifts.  Jeff had a redneck Christmas and got a tree stand, muck boots, a smoker/grill all in one, camo overalls, and more.   I got some boots, a puffy vest, a santa figurine (kathy gives me one every year), a sewing machine, and we both received an ice cream maker.  A very lovely Christmas indeed.

We lounged about for awhile in the afternoon and then it was time for showers and dinner prep before the rest of the family came back over for Christmas dinner.  When everyone arrived, a fun time ensued with more eating, chit chatting and a really fun fiddle concert by Aaron while the kids had a crazy dance party.

Sunday morning was spent in our pajamas as we helped Kathy and Marshall plan a little New Years getaway before we left for home a few pounds heavier and with a car full of goodies.  

Thanks to all for a great Christmas.

For this recap in video form, see below.