Celebrating

A favorite part of the Christmas Season is the visiting of family.  How can you not enjoy catching up with family you haven’t seen in a long time?  It’s just a great part of the season.

Our first stop was in Sturgis.  We are seasoned in the two hour drive down good ol’ US-12.  The fairly mundane drive down the two lane road is peppered with interesting little towns sporting many antique shops.  Although small, a lot of the towns were decorated with lovely Holiday lights, signs, and things that held our interest. 

The smell of slow cooked, hearty spaghetti danced in our nostrils once we arrived at Grandpa Roehrig’s house.  It’s my favorite.  He can cook a mean batch of sauce.  It’s thick and chunky with lots of meat and vegetables.  I crave it and savor as much as I can when given the opportunity! 

Aunt Liz, Uncle Larry and their two boys were there along with Grandpa.  We visited, laughed and had a very nice time.  Personally, I counted down the minutes until we could dig in to the spaghetti, oh, it’s truly THAT delicious!  The children got spoiled with many gifts and had a blast opening the toys and trying them out. 

 

 

   

My camera never seems to capture all the family around, but not seen in film was lots of smiles from us adults as we watched the children, and the chit-chat between us all.  Oh yeah, the spaghetti too.  I can’t take pictures while stuffing my mouth full!  We left with stomachs stretched, the Durango full of gifts and happiness all around us.  The drive home was in the dark and those little towns were lit up.  The awake children exclaimed with glee when we passed through. 

The 23rd, Friday, Tom started his vacation and we headed to St. Clair.  Another two hour drive, no big deal for this clan.  We arrived early and the children changed into their dress clothes.  Each year when I and my cousins were little, my Grandma would buy us beautiful dresses for Christmas.  She started doing it for my girls.  This year, Great Grandpa went out and picked out dresses for the girls and handsome sweaters for the boys.  It was touching, and for me, seeing the girls put on their dresses brought tears to my eyes. 

 

The kids played, were loved on, and given lots of gifts.  My Aunt from Texas made it up and it was lovely seeing her again.  We are a big group and almost all 18 cousins were in attendance.  It was loud, laughter resonated above all.  Grandma would’ve loved it!

        

Again, my camera wasn’t taken out much, as catching up with family took over my want to click the camera.  We left and four little one’s fell fast asleep.  Tom and I held hands as we drove home, knowing that night was a wonderful start to our vacation.

Christmas Eve, Saturday, came.  I noticed Zane was covered in hives, thanks to me for not washing his new sweater before wearing it, so some pictures will have him clad in only a diaper.  Fare warning, I do dress the children, especially in winter, but he seemed happier in just a diaper.

Anyways, my parents and Alex, came down on Christmas Eve.  We decided to open gifts from them that evening.  The kids dug in and loved all their new presents. 

   

  

The thrill of Santa brought the children down from their high.  Cookies were set out, and they readied for bed.  Excitement could be felt in their little bodies.  The morning came and Noelle was the first up, she ran downstairs and not only did Santa come, but Aunt CeeCee was waiting too!  Not wanting to miss the opening of presents she drove very early and was ready for the kids.

The wrapping paper fell, and it was such fun watching the kids.  Even little baby Todd (Aunt Ceecee is due January 23rd, which was my due date with Max) watched!

 

 

Grandpa was designated at the puter-together guy and happily built whatever was needed.

 

We had dinner early, played a ton and then it was over.  Oh, but it was good! 

See, Zane thought the cookies were REALLY good!

 

Grandpa Goodhue tried to steal a Lalaloopsy doll!

When the house was left to us, we chilled and reflected on the past visits this season.  All was good, very good.  I hope all had a Very Merry Christmas!