My first Christmas celebration of the year took place in Boston with Dave and Rebecca. Now that I'm back home again in Indiana, our first extended family celebration took place on Christmas Eve with my mom's side of the family.
My Aunt Faith graciously hosted the family for an afternoon and evening of great appetizers and dinner followed by the traditional gift exchange and perhaps a new tradition of attending midnight mass.
The gift exchange is always fun because it's a white elephant style exchange where everyone brings a somewhat generic gift. We then pick and order in which people select and open gifts with the option to "steal" previously open gifts. It's always fun to see the reaction when the uncles open a gift containing jewelry or the aunts open a gift containing tools or car care supplies. I lucked out and ended up with a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble, which will be put to good use with the upcoming Domestic Plant Trek.
Here are a few pictures from the get together!
Sister Laura and Cousin Andrea who visited in September.
Mom and Granma
Aunt Kaaren and Aunt Carolyn, say that 3 times fast.
Aunt Kaaren and Aunt Carolyn, say that 3 times fast.
Cousins Jared and Patrick:
Merry Christmas (#2)!!!
