Did I skip a week there? Or was it that much of a blur? As usual, Christmas was a crazy, chaotic, sugary whirlwind! I got a call from Michelle (Phil's Godmother's daughter- so pretty much my sister-in-law) that everyone is coming for Christmas! So whew! Let the fun begin! The kids and I went Christmas shopping and dollar store hopping. I think it's so sweet when the kids use their own money to buy each other things. I especially love the homemade gifts (coupons are my favorite!!!) I had the cookie swap for MOPS and spent the day making ginger snaps- similar to the recipe I used to make as a kid. I ate lots of cookies at Kate's! My sister hosted a really nice family gathering at her house. She made her special beef stroganoff recipe. I came over (while she was still at work) and Marly and I made homemade gingerbread for the gingerbread houses. It was a day of cousin fun. We even stayed late to watch Christmas Chronicles II. The following day, Phil's parents came in from Miami. It was so special to see them, it had been a whole year since we've seen them. It was crazy to think that in the middle of a pandemic, we hosted the largest Christmas yet...but that's exactly what we did. I am so thankful that at this point, no one has gotten sick. We grilled chicken for dinner and stayed up watching Jingle Jangle. On Christmas Eve, Michelle arrived at breakfast. She was playing elf and transporting a new puppy to GA for a Christmas gift. We went on a family walk then welcomed Georgette and Vane- one big group! Phil took us on a sunset boat ride. I was thinking it was going to be chilly and perfect for chilly but the rain and cold didn't come until later (and wow, did it). We made space for Santa by opening all the gifts from each other. It was a fun night! But we were sweating while eating the chilly. The Knoepfels helped again to make the Christmas magic happen. We are lucky to have such wonderful neighbors! Michelle headed out early for her doggie delivery. Phil surprised me with the AirPods I had been wanting for my Birthday (he convinced me the bathroom is my gift for years to come). Christmas morning started early, as usual for us, too. All the kids seemed really happy with their loot. We went to 8:30 mass with Ellie and Marly serving. Abby stayed back with the abus to help make sure they found the church okay. She was a great helper! Voss, Phil and I passed out books. I recruited the Applegates to help. After mass we had a yummy breakfast of hash brown crack casserole, eggs and bacon. I helped myself to a Bloody Mary after Voss' inaugural drone flight flew high and away never to return. Luckily, he had remote control cars and other toys to keep him happy, while everyone loved burning wrapping paper in the fire. Marly got this cool light set up (to make YouTube videos). It made the perfect photo booth for some awesome Christmas pictures. It was loud and chaotic with kids and dogs running all over. I loved it. Phil hated it. My sisters came by for visits. We did a cousin gift exchange. For Christmas dinner, Phil grilled steaks and then we went caroling. The night ended with me watching A White Christmas with the abus (they had never seen it). The next day, Vane and Gee left to head back to Orlando. We went to Trents for a late lunch then met my parents at mass. The Feast of the Holy Family could not have come at a better time! I finished reading Rupi Kaur's Home Body (a stocking gift for me!) thus finishing the 2020 book challenge! Phil and I snuck out later for a night out at Mellow Mushroom. I finally got a warm butter rum drink (a recipe I had been hoping to make at some point this Christmas). Phil's parents drove back to Miami on Sunday morning. Sunday afternoon, my sister Katie (and Henry) came to stay with us. She treated us to dinner at High Tide and stocked us up on wine. Henry loved all the cousin play time! Katie had gotten Voss this flying bird. We spent lots of time flying it in the yard. Every morning that week we went to the TCC pool to swim. The weather got warmer and the pool is heated. It was the perfect thing to do with Henry and the kids loved being at the pool again. We pretty much had the place to ourselves the whole time. It was awesome. Then during nap time, Katie would take us out for lunch. I got to go to Biscotti's with she and Phil. She took Ellie out twice (a special Godmother time) and took Abby along, too. We were spoiled by her. At some point, she went back to my parent's house. Phil and I met the Norris' out for a night of fun and debauchery (including a power hour). We also met the Freemans for a lunch. The week just sorta blew by. I definitely spent time ignoring my family with headphones on, drinking eggnog and watching the entire season of Bridgeton (which is so good if you haven't seen it <just watch out for it turning into a porn about half way through>). I played some tennis and started reading our book club book. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and listening to Nothing to See Here (rec from one of my sorority sisters when she saw my awesome library pic (see below)). Our NYE plans at TCC were canceled (COVID, frankly surprised this hadn't happened sooner) so we went to my parent's for a lobster dinner. We got Marly and Ellie to come watch the fireworks on the dock at my parent's house. We couldn't see downtown but it looked like each neighborhood at their own display. It was neat to watch the ball drop with the older girls. Dryanuary has begun. Suzanne drove to Orlando and flew back to CA with Katie and Henry. We got caught up on much needed sleep. Marly spent the night at Addy's. We had black eyed peas and collard greens with the Bentons at Mojos and Charlotte spent the night with us. A few days of play dates with the VanWies and Cutlips. I got to play some tennis. Phil and I took the boat to the Osborne's for a fire pit French fry party on Saturday night. It was perfectly, glassy with a chill. We were home before the rain came. We went to a later mass on Sunday for the Epiphany. The Applegates had us over for the rosary and a backyard Christmas Story movie night. Today we spent putting decorations away, getting backpacks ready and clothes clean. A new semester begins tomorrow! We rode bikes to Ringhaver for a family soccer game. It was a wonderful Christmas. We are all just so lucky!