One Perfect Day

What an amazing Christmas.  I don't think I can remember one that rivaled it.  It started out with a wonderful Christmas Eve spent with the WHOLE family.  With me being an only child and only having 2 girl cousins, our childhood Christmas celebrations were much smaller.  They've gotten considerably bigger since then.  Between my two cousins and me, we have 13 kids and 2 grandkids.  Most of which are boys.  And that isn't including the kids that are marrying into the family.  I LOVE it.  I appreciate it even more so, because we lived away from home for 14 years.  Now that we're back, our family gatherings have become even more precious to me.  I only wish that my Grandpa was still alive.  He would be in absolute heaven.  (And we would have a whole lot more pictures taken.)

My Grandma with the Great Grandkids (minus 2 of mine)

 Christmas day was spent at home with various visitors throughout the day.  In the morning, the kids woke us up about 6:30.  (Did I predict that or what)  We took our Christmas "kids on the stairs" picture, the pickle hunt ensued (which, ONCE AGAIN, my daughter won.  I think we've decided to blindfold her next year to give someone else a chance.) and then came the opening of the presents.  We made that last for about 3 hours including our breakfast break.  The boys got along at least 75% of the time.  Everyone got just about everything on their lists with a few extras they weren't expecting, and I got to listen to Christmas carols the WHOLE day.  The TV never even got turned on to a stupid football game.  Yes, I'll probably get flogged for saying so, but I don't believe football has ANY place on Christmas Day.  That is a day for enjoying family with no distractions.

Christmas morning 2012

The 2012 Victor

The rest of the day was filled with very special visitors.  My Mom and her boyfriend came over first.  Following them were our very closest friends and his parents, whom I adore. The day was spent relaxing, eating too much, drinking wine, playing games and laughter.  Pretty much the perfect day.  At about 10:00 p.m. my 2nd oldest son and his Fiancee' pulled into the driveway after a LONG drive from Indy.  After another round of presents and some more visiting, we finally said good night and brought Christmas 2012 to a close.  Now that it's done, I'll try to put off taking down the decorations as long as I can stand it but I'll probably only last until tomorrow.  Although this year feels different.  Usually I'm ready to put it all away and start on some organizing or home improvement project.  But as I sit here typing in my chair, in front of the fireplace hung with the stockings I made this year, I think I might be able to put it off a little longer.  Especially since, on the floor in front of that same fireplace, my kids have started playing one of the many board games that Santa brought.  More precious memories being created.  One happy Mama.