{ok ok ok…I know I keep saying how things are getting crazy and how I’m going to catch up on posting but than I’m not catching up. I feel like I just keep making excuses. I don’t really know what is going on….I feel like my blogging motivation has been pretty low since before Christmas. I’m not sure why but I’m hoping I can get better again starting now. I really appreciate everyone out there who is still reading my blog}
I know this post is late but I want to tell you about our Christmas. It was a pretty quiet day but it was a really great day, better than I thought it would be. I knew Christmas was going to be really hard this year without my grandmother. It definitely was, but I think our family did a great job of just getting together and loving one another.
Dan and I started out the day with stockings. We decided not to do presents because we don’t have a lot of money but thought stockings would be fun. Dan did a great job with my stocking! Lots of yummy things and practical things because that is just who Dan is and I love it.
We got ready for the day and headed over to my step-grandmother Barbara’s house for some snacks. Some of my step-dad’s siblings were there. We hung out for a bit and had some yummy food.
After that, we went over to my grandfather’s house for the rest of the day.
The house was warm and cozy and felt right for Christmas. For the past few years, we have been doing our family Christmas on a day other than Christmas so that everyone can be there. I’m so glad that we were able to all get together on Christmas this year because I think it made it easier.
We had lots of presents under the tree.
Our family is definitely a present opening family. As soon as everyone was together, we decided to dive right in to the presents. I was nominated to be Santa so I passed out all of the presents. Our tradition is to do one present at a time so that everyone can see what everyone else is getting. It is my favorite way to open presents.
My mom and I both made Shutterfly books for everyone. She made books of just us 4 cousins with pictures of us throughout the years. I made books of just the 4 of us with DeDe, my grandmother. I think everyone loved both of the books.
When the presents were done, we just spent some time relaxing, listening to Ryan play some songs on the guitar. We also ate some delicious food.
Julia and I also went through my grandmother’s jewelry so we could decide what we would like to keep and what we didn’t want. It made me sad but felt good to go through some things.
I made my brother and cousin put on their presents so I could get some pictures of them. Yay T-Rex!
I love spending time with these people. With the exception of Joe, we all live pretty close to each other but I still don’t feel like I see them very often. Life gets so crazy. I wanted to make sure we got some family shots before we all headed home.
Love my little brother. He is one amazing person.
And of course we had to get some with Bubby.
For a day I thought was going to be so hard was actually really nice and relaxing. It was a great way to spend Christmas. As much as I miss DeDe, I’m so glad I still get to spend Christmas with these crazy people.
delightfully teal 