Family Christmas!

Christmas in my family is a big deal.  NOT because of the gifts but because of the family time we all enjoy and the memories we're making with more and more family members throughout the years.  It's really a special time and even with different beliefs, we all put that aside and get together for the day and just enjoy one another's company.  That is why I look forward to Christmas each year and this is also why it will be one of the hardest things I'll have to cope with when me move away (because at least for a few years, we won't be able to come home on every holiday like we have been these past 4 years).  I love Christmas with my family!  Let me recap you with the Christmas/family activities.

Christmas Eve, though Der and I have both been sick off and on for close to a week, we woke up at our own accord and opened our gifts and stockings from each other.  It was a lot of fun because the past few years we haven't been able to do a lot for one another for Christmas.  This year we were and even though we were sick it was still fun opening gifts, laughing and spending time together.  I forgot to take pictures (probably for the best since we were both sick)! After checking out our loot, we loaded the car up and headed to Chattanooga to spend Christmas Eve with my mom and the next day with my family!

To start Christmas day, we (the kids) got together at my mom's house in the morning and opened our gifts, drank coffee, and woke up more before getting ready to start our hectic day.

Mom's tree-it was STUFFED with gifts!

Me and my boo Christmas morning, lol.

My brother and brother in law opening gifts.  Mom played Santa and was the last in opening her gifts but she loved them! We're a pretty simple family when it comes to gifts (though the tree tells a different story!).  We mostly give/get books and some DVDs and we're all perfectly okay with that.  Christmas to my family is about family and togetherness.

So after Christmas at mom's we got ready and headed to my dad's house for Christmas with my grandparents!  It was weird because we kept saying "Clyde's house" even though Uncle Clyde is no longer with us.  My dad lives in his house now so it was kind of like Uncle Clyde was there in spirit and it really helped make that even more special.

Daddy's little tree and the gifts.

A bunch of the family just hanging out. We were waiting for the food! My grandmother's (Dot Dot) sister was coming over with all of the food-she brought stuffing, and HUGE ham, dumplings, green beans, mashed potatoes, mom brought deviled eggs, and there was so much more! We had another party to go to that evening so we didn't fill up but it was hard because it was all so delicious.

Me and my sister! I'm wearing the new top my mom bought me and actually look decent now, ha ha!

My sister, my Dot Dot, Dave, and my brother-in-law Steve.

Der, my daddy and me.

The kids with Dad! From L: Der, me, Brad, Daddy, Jen, and Steve

After Dad's we headed down the road to my Aunt's house for the annual Christmas party!  This is where my mom's side of the family all get together to eat a ton, do a dirty Santa gift exchange and take pictures.  It's a pretty laid back atmosphere and good for all of us to get together.

Just the start of the YUMMMMMMMY food everyone brought!  I made the Oreo truffles again for the party-and as expected, they were a success!

My sister and awesome cousin Lauren.

My aunt's tree and the beginnings of the dirty Santa gifts!  I forgot to take pictures during the actual game but we had a great time changing out gifts.  I got a candle set and Der got a car cleaning kit! Both great and practical gifts.

The girl cousins! From L: me, Jen, Lauren, Sara, and Haley. Jen is the oldest cousin and Haley is the youngest.  My cousin Kevin couldn't come to the party but he and his wife are expecting a baby at the end of January so once he's born he'll be the youngest.  We are all so excited to meet him!

My family. From L: Steve, Jen, Brad, Mom, me, and Der.

We took this picture really quick-Jen and Steve had to leave to go to Steve's side of the family's Christmas.  The Der, Brad and I left to go see my other grandparents before trekking back up the mountain to collapse in our merriment.

What a JOYOUS and wonderful Christmas we both had.  I feel extremely humble, blessed and happy that I have such a fantastic family to celebrate holidays with.