A Nice Holiday

Everybody survived. Smiling. That is my new definition of a good Christmas.

The two days at work before the holidays were HORRENDOUS. The big "I want to have my baby before Christmas" rush. Not to be confused with "I want to have a tax break in 2005" rush. Slammin-Jammin full. I didn't walk out of the hospital until 7:35pm Thursday night, all ready to pack the car and drive 2.5 hours to Vancouver. I bought myself a big ol' coffee, reprogrammed all Kevin's radio stations (hee hee), and had a decent drive to myself. Mom and Craig had the house all beautiful and festive. David the brother was there, and Kevin arrived shortly after I did with my puppies. The grandparents had flow in earlier in the day, and were fast asleep.

It was a great holiday. We played lots of games. We ate lots of food. Kevin flipped through radio stations and drove me crazy because he stops to watch every cartoon. We watched lots of "The Food Network." Cindy (the wicked stepmother), Tom, and John Michael came over Friday night for games. Mary and Jerry joined us on Christmas Eve for a great dinner.

Kevin and I did Christmas with his family on Christmas Eve. His folks made the most amazing brunch. The best was this fluffy egg dish with fresh crab. Yummo! Grace helped all of us open presents. McGuire the puppy slept in various places, his standard routine. Everything was beautiful and fun, a great morning. That evening, we ate Craig's venison roast. To die for. Mary and Jerry brought a juicy salad, Mom and I made glazed carrots. Christmas morning we were still full, but we managed to enjoy my stuffed french toast. A pot of Brunswick stew simmered on the stove all day. Monday morning, the day we left Kevin and I made Rachel Ray's pumpkin polenta with spinach and white beans. I was so full that when we met Jay and Chenoah (who are having a boy!) I was so full I could only eat a chocolate eclaire for lunch.

Now, I'm detoxing.

The grandparents are a riot. Roy and Norma, my mom's folks, are in their mid-eighties. They winter in Florida, go out to lunch almost every day, and play a mean hand of cards. My grandmother spent lots of time saying "But it doesn't matter to me." I don't think she was always quite truthful when she said it. My grandfather kept getting kicked out of the living room when he wanted to watch poker on TV. My grandmother kicked all our asses at Monopoly by not having a clue what to do. I landed on "Pay Income Tax" every time I passed go, so I never got to keep my $200.

Quote of the holiday, by Mom.
"Hurry up, it's not that hard to make a decision."
Perhaps you have to be intimately acquainted with the family to understand the subtle humor present.

It was really the most amazing Christmas, and thanks to everybody who made it so special: Mom, Craig, Grandma, Grandpa, David (and Beth in absence), Mary, Jerry, Dana, Tim, Grace, Cindy, Tom, John Michael, Jay, Chenoah, and my darling husband Kevin. I'm still hoping I got the one thing I wanted for Christmas, but I'm too chicken to find out just yet. So I'll let you know...later.