An Unusual Christmas

This year, Christmas for our family was a bit unusual. We celebrated Christmas at my Aunt Kathy's house, the first time we haven't had it at either my parents' or grandparents' house. This is the first year I can remember that my Uncle Rick hasn't shown up for at least Christmas Eve. We didn't have any children to wake us up on Christmas morning, so we didn't get up til around 8:30, and didn't open presents til after 10:00 (after Ben finally decided to get up)! The people who stayed overnight Christmas Eve were almost outnumbered by the dogs (10 people, 8 dogs!). The "adults" (mom, dad, Aunt Kathy and Uncle David) never got out of their pajamas on Christmas day. We didn't end up doing our traditional ornament exchange until the day AFTER Christmas, and not everybody got to participate. It was a good holiday overall, though. I enjoyed spending time with my family, seeing extended family members that I see only once every year or two, and meeting my cousin Brandon's wife Becky and their new baby, Addison. We were blessed with a really quiet Christmas day, very lazy and restful, which was a nice contrast to the craziness of Christmas Eve--preparing and enjoying the big Christmas meal, rushing to the Christmas Eve service, and then our traditional Christmas Eve party lasting late into the evening. Here are several photos of this year's Christmas celebrations.

baby Addison

Brandon, Becky, and AddisonAunt Patty and Uncle Barry with their new granddaughter

mom in a rare moment of relaxation on Christmas Eve

my family before the Christmas Eve service Kathy's house was decorated beautifully, both inside and out Papa tried to stay awake until Santa arrived, but just couldn't make it

my parents, still in their pajamas at 3:00 Christmas afternoon

mom and a cute ornament from the ornament exchange

Because everyone stayed in their pajamas on Christmas, we didn't take family photos until the day after Christmas, which meant nobody was dressed in festive attire. Oh well. These are our best efforts.