It was a good Christmas

When I was little, we used to have a big family Christmas get-together on Christmas Eve. It just so happened to be my Grandma's birthday as well, so it worked out great. Well Grandma passed away, people moved away and the family just sort of drifted apart.

So for the past few years, we've sort of started a new tradition. We still celebrate Christmas Eve at my parents house, but it's just immediate family. We do a mostly seafood dinner with mussels, shrimp, cod/perch, and this year my dad made stuffed grapeleaves and mom made a cheeseball. Then there's the plate of pickles, olives, hot peppers, etc. We play a little euchre, drink a little wine and/or beer and just hang out.

Me and my sis

The siblings

Me and my boy

Then at 11:00 p.m. we go to church (where we got married) with Jim's parents. My sister and brother joined us this year which was nice. It's a lot of singing, which I'm still not quite used to (I grew up Catholic, so there wasn't much singing involved), but it's a nice way to end the night.

Christmas Day we normally go to Jim's Grandma's house for breakfast, but this year it was at Jim's parents house. We do gifts over there, and then head back to my parents house for gifts and dinner. My parents and Jim's parents only live a street over from each other, so the driving isn't an issue.

I was just excited that I FINALLY got the food processor I've been wanting for like 2 years! Now I can make hummus and salsa and who knows what else.

Jim also got me some cleaning products for the new car. He preempted me opening the gift with a, "you're probably going to hate it, but I think it's cool" comment, so I was already a little worried about what it was going to be. But, I did say I was going to be good and take care of this car better, so I guess he's just helping me with that. Hopefully I don't end up with wax in my eye or carpet cleaner in my hair...we all know how my cleaning escapades go.