Quite Contrary: a very merry christmas

After hours of dice games, twenty-five place settings, eight dozen cookies, four Caribou gift cards (yeah, I think they all have me pegged), a handful of 'no-way-did-that-just-happen' moments at dinner, about 360 miles of driving, and multiple trips with Haddie up and down the stairs - over and over again, Christmas 2011 is behind us. It was fantastic. With an away Vikings game on Christmas Eve (and therefore Mike traveling) and near record-high temperatures, Christmas felt (and was) a bit different this year. Our traditions were mixed up as we shared different parts of our holiday with different sides of the family - it was a special Christmas.

We are usually with Mike's side of the family on Christmas Eve but because he was busy in Washington D.C. defeating the Redskins, I spent a few extra days at my parent's home. It was great to be home with no agenda other than our annual cookie-baking day and random holiday preparations. My break was kicked off to a great start with breakfast with one of my favorite former high school English teachers. It was fantastic catching up and reminiscing about the last decade. I did a little shopping with my dear friend Kerin, checked out Whole Foods with my dad and visited with my grandma (who I brought back from Florida shortly before Thanksgiving). We had a fantastic evening with my immediate family, playing games and laughing way too much. I tried to fit way too many things into three days at home but it was well worth it.

Christmas Eve was hosted by my parents. I don't even know how to summarize how ridiculously awesome and crazy our dinner was with the extended family and friends. But one thing I know how to express is my amazement with my parents and their incredible gift for hosting. It has taken me awhile to understand that what they do and how they put it all together is so above-and-beyond incredible because it is something they do for every holiday and was a tradition I assumed every family had just the way we have it. I know many families have special traditions but my parents are truly gifted when it comes to making every detail special. Every element about the way the table is set, the food that is thoughtfully prepared, the people that are included - down to the police officers who are on duty at the time...it's who they are and it's amazing. It's something I hope to replicate someday for my family and if we are half as good as they are, our kids will be lucky.

After a great brunch with the whole gang on Christmas morning, we headed to Mike's family's house about 86 miles south of Medina. And it always takes the hour and forty-five minutes to prepare for the cousins. Holy moly there are a lot of cousins. I love this family almost as my own and it was a special year celebrating Christmas day and night with them for the first time ever. Their dice game antics are ones I hope to witness for many more years to come. After the extended family went home, we played a new game called Quelf. It's unlike any game I've ever played. So many laughs. We ended our Christmas celebration visiting our special friends Sam & SueEllen who were also home for the holidays. You might remember my post a short while back from their wedding in San Diego. It is always great catching up with them and talking about this beautiful life we all share.

We were countlessly reminded how blessed we are and as I begin to reflect on this year as we transition into another one, I find myself so thankful for family, friends and freedom. May we never lose the spirit of these moments...

I haven't collected all the pictures from Chorley Christmas this year so most of these are from our time spent with our Wobschall side. I will update this post as soon as I get all of them!