Two weeks is better than nothing, right? We had the most wonderful week of Christmasing. The progressive dinner was great--I think everyone enjoyed "the kids" as hosts--and Justin and I certainly LOVED putting our basement to real use for the first time. We set a 16-ft table, and it was so nice to seat my entire family in one long row. The menu was brisket, our favorite cheesy potato casserole (no sour cream!), fresh green beans, and bread--simple and sooo good.
After everything was finished, we drove to my parents' to spend one last Christmas Eve night. Before going to bed, we sat by the tree in the dining room with only those lights lit, and it felt like a real-life version of Silent Night. So calm, so peaceful. It was pretty special.
My parents generously gave us, among too many other things, a Canon Rebel. Can't wait to use it with the baby! Here are just a few of my favorite still shots from the weekend:
We spent the morning playing around with the camera and getting ready for the fam to arrive. I love Christmas in that house! So warm, so cozy.
Here's a great picture of my Aunt Sue and Uncle Kirk with Cooper, Jason's Christmas present to Steph (she got him about a month ago... after only having to wait 24 years!):
And Morgan, taking a break after opening presents. Check out her "sleeves" ... must be what the kids are wearing these days:
Friday morning we got up and hit the road for Higgins Lake. We arrived in the early afternoon and enjoyed our second Christmas dinner, then opened presents again! Justin's parents gave us a Canon FS100 camcorder. I love this gift because Justin has seriously wanted a camcorder for YEARS, and waited patiently all this time. I think the grandparents just want to make sure they have full access to baby action with one click!
Justin, looking cute while putting together a new desk chair for his mom and dad:
We stayed in Higgins Lake until Monday morning, so there was plenty of time for relaxing, movie-watching, eating, shopping, and hanging out with everyone. Sunday night was spent with Eric and Alex Carroll, who more often than not we only get to see at Christmas... and I have to say, it's one of the things we most look forward to in the whole season. I love to look back over seven Christmases now and think about the fun times we've shared... and I'm especially thankful they adopted me into their "boys' club!"
Sunday night with the Carrolls kicked off a week of great times with friends. Monday was spent in Livonia with Chris and Andrea Moyer and (newly engaged) Liz Baiocchi. Tuesday we had an end-of-the-year party for the teens at church, Wednesday we spent New Year's Eve at Shannon and Elliot's, along with Kelly and Ashley, Thursday we went to my grandpa's for the day, Friday was a nice, relaxing date night, and Saturday was Amy Boris's wedding! Yesterday by the time we got home from church, we barely had the energy to change into sweats before collapsing on the couch, literally for the next several hours.
Before I wrap this up, I was thinking about those seven straight nights with friends and how there isn't ONE picture to show for it, which is kind of sad. But then my very favorite John Mayer song came to mind. "Didn't have a camera by my side this time / Hoping I would see the world with both my eyes" ... "Today I finally overcame / Trying to fit the world inside a picture frame..." I just love this song. It's so true, often I think we miss being in the little moments because we're too obsessed with trying to capture them. And obviously, there's merit in preserving the memory... but last week it was so nice to kick back and laugh until our bellies hurt without stopping to pose for a picture. Those memories last, too. And every year at Christmastime, I'm thankful for the friends who come home and the late nights spent this very way! So yes... it was a good, long break.
