It's Over!

 As happens every year, even though I look forward to Christmas for so long, I am always sad when it is actually over. I guess the anticipation is a large part of the fun. But, it is over again for another year although I won't be taking down the decor until a bit after New Years.

I have already posted about most of my pre-holiday fun so I guess we are on to Christmas Eve. I went over to daughter #3's house early and my grand daughter and I decorated some sugar cookies she had made while mom and dad were preparing dinner. With their beautiful new kitchen, we are all able to be together while this is going as...as well as enjoy some delicious appetizers.The meal was wonderful and it was a lovely, quiet evening with a lot of time to just visit and, of course, catch up with grandson #1.

I didn't do a good job of taking photos because the mood was laid back and I didn't want to change that by pointing my camera at people-and then, my grand daughter took the camera and snapped a few pictures but, nothing fancy...just enough for me to record my memories.

Cookies and milk for Santa...looks like one of the elves may have already taken a bite of a cookie. Lol

 Like I said, we won't win any photo contests but at least I have these pictures in my "journal".

Everyone was due at my house around 3p.m. for appetizers after having their "Santa" gifts, etc, in their own homes. And, we knew that with traffic, packing cars, etc. that daughter #1 and her family probably wouldn't arrive until after 4...so, after the original gang was full of appetizers, we set up a game of Scattergories. I think at that time we had 14 of us playing...way more than intended but so much fun! This gang has always been a bit competitive so it was anything but a quiet afternoon once the game got going!

Dinner was planned for 5p.m. and right about then, daughter #1 and grand daughter #4 arrived as well as my SIL's mom...grand daughter #2 remained in St. Pete not feeling well. We did manage to get everyone together for the blessing but no pictures. Then, the rest of the photos are kind of hit and miss again.

Not sure if my brother is "shooing" me away or just talking with someone-lol-but this is the best pic I have. 

 

We chose to go easy on dinner so we had three different kinds of lasagna, a broccoli/cauliflower salad with cranberries and pistachios (very Christmas colored), a huge tossed salad, garlic bread and Christmas cookies and pound cake. I missed some folks at the table but by this point, my dinner was getting cold so I opted for food. Lol

After dinner we were off to the family room for gifts and then our White Elephant exchange. 

The White Elephant exchange gifts were really well thought out this year and there were a number that were stolen the maximum amount of times...and that is saying something because most of us don't like to steal anything from someone who really loves what they chose. Lol Remember I said that this is a competitive bunch ...some more than others! Lol

And, of course, before anyone heads home, the obligatory family photos must be done. This year we were a bit later than usual and tired-which was good because there were no complaints but the picture lighting isn't perfect...and, of course, we're all missing grand daughter #2!

Someone said "now, everyone look at Nana"...and this is what happened!

Those that needed to get home to bed for work the next day headed home and the rest of us sat down and just enjoyed revisiting the day. It turned into an even later night but that was fine.

The next day, daughter #1 and her girls (Caitlin felt good enough to drive up and join us) and I headed out to our World Equestrian Center. They have heard so much about it but this would be their first time actually going. It was still pretty much decorated for the holiday but there wasn't any equine activity happening so soon after Christmas. I showed them the complex and then we had a late lunch at the Yellow Pony Pub-which is always delicious!

 

My grand daughter had an early dentist appointment the next morning so they had to drive home in the dark but they said once they got out of my area, traffic lightened up so that may have been a happy accident.

And now, since daughter #3 and her family are off on their traditional after Christmas trip to Charleston to visit with my SIL's family, I have Hazel (a Golden Doodle) and Bruno (a Labradoodle). This is the first time I have had both dogs since Bruno came into their lives. Hazel has been here so many times that she and I are right in sync but, Bruno is a bit of a different story. First of all, he is LARGE! And, he is young so he has a lot more energy! And, let's just say that he has some work to do on learning to share the bed. LOL In any case, their company is worth so much more than a few nights of lost sleep so I am enjoying my time with them a lot!

And, of course, we're running to their house and checking on cats, mail and packages on the front porch so things are managing to stay busy. I did finally get all of the furniture that I moved around for the holiday back where it belongs and I think I will definitely give myself the next 3-4 days to just soak in all the this time of year still has to offer...and then, Christmas will come down and Valentine's Day decor will appear. Stay safe and stay tuned.