Asia & Chocolate

Christmas in Memphis (part 4)

My parents both come from large(ish) families. My dad has four siblings and my mom has three. Sunday we spent in Memphis with my dad and his entire family (his mom, all his siblings and nieces, nephews and their spouses/significant others). All in all there were 30 of us under the same roof and can we all say CROWDED but quite a bit of fun. I don't know how long it's been since we were all together at once, especially not with the new spouses/fiances/boyfriends/girlfriends.

The whole gang ... I have 7 cousins, almost as many as I have siblings. :)
 

This is my dad's youngest sister and her family.

A little football in the cul de sac ...

Josh is showing off his moves ...

Emily, Belle and I observing the football passing.

Cousin Andrew hanging with the big boys ...

Christmas with the Couples (part 3)

Jonathan & Emily, Michael & Katie and Josh all joined the family on Saturday morning for the second round of Christmas morning. It was so much fun to have everyone together.

Josh and me in our pj's.

Michael and Katie ... the newlyweds.

Jonathan and Emily join Philip and Daniel on the couch.

Mario Kart for the Wii was a big hit!

Later that evening all three kid-couples got a chance to hang out at McCreary's Pub in downtown Franklin. We have the best time together and have tons of laughs together. I am so thankful that Josh and I have fun with my siblings. There's really nothing better than family that are your friends as well.

Christmas morning! (my favorite - part 2)

I'm still a little kid at heart. I LOVE Christmas morning ... and while I know it's not just about getting presents, but I love getting and giving presents on Christmas morning. There's something magical about giving something that you picked out especially for them and there's something special about getting something that someone else picked out for you. Love it!

Daniel got loads of kitchen goodies this year ... he's out on his own and doesn't have anything in his kitchen. Not anymore!

Notecards... and my just-got-out-of-bed look

The anticipation is killing me!

Reading is so much fun for Stephen!

Dad's ears will never be cold again.

Where's Daniel?

We were missing my brothers Jonathan and Michael and their wives Emily and Katie on Christmas morning. We were all together on Saturday morning though ... more to come!

Christmas with the In Laws (part 1)

(I've taken a Christmas break from blogging for a few weeks, but I'm back with lots of Christmas updates ...)

This was the first Christmas for me to experience the in-law tug. The questions of how many days, and which days, do we spend with my family and how many days do we spend with Josh's family?

His extended family made this easy by celebrating Christmas the Sunday before Christmas. I found it somewhat strange to be a part of a family's Christmas where I hadn't known anyone more than six months. They are my family now, but it was just all new to me. I love them and I'm glad to be in the family (officially in five months from tomorrow!!).

The cutest part (of course) was the kids opening their gifts. Josh has a niece and nephew and then he has five second cousins. They are all so cute!

And then there's the cutest kid of all - my love ... :) (He has soap on his head, in case you were wondering :) )

Do I hear Christmas bells?

OK, so I'm a little early this year, but I am so excited for Christmas! I know Thanksgiving hasn't quite happened yet, but it's soon enough and I don't want to miss a single minute of Christmas get-readiness. Last week I decorated my space at work with some Christmas lights and my little tree. And then this weekend I brought my Christmas tree  (from my apartment-living days) and all my ornaments to Josh's house. I even bought cute little monogrammed stockings for our first Christmas together. See how cute it is?

A play day ...

Today has been great! It's funny ... up until Christmas morning I kind of have to muster up the Christmas feeling. But then the morning comes and it's just special. I don't know if it's anticipation or what, but it was great. I love spending the day with my family and us just hanging out together. Here's some photos of the day ...

Cinnamon rolls - a Christmas morning breakfast tradition, along with sausage balls

Christmas cards ...

All the presents - we had to wait for Jonathan and Emily to come over before we opened the presents. That's OK since the kids didn't get up for breakfast until 10. :)

We made Stephen vacuum before our "guests" arrived.

My little tree ... with all of my cute little ornaments. :)

Belle (the dog-niece) and I awaiting our turn to open gifts.

Jonathan and Emily ... watching others open presents.

All the stockings - Mom stayed up late making Emily a stocking ... since it's only her 2nd Christmas with us. :)

Food, food and more food.

Hoping you had a great day too!!! Merry Christmas!

 

To my overseas family.

Do you ever have those moments when you miss someone so much it hurts? It's like a little pin prick that sets off the reminder in you, telling you that someone is not there. It happened to me today when I found a Christmas ornament that my 7th grade class made together last Christmas. I nearly cried putting it on the tree this afternoon.

Merry Christmas to my "family" on the other side of the world - Indonesia. I love you and miss you!!!!!!!

(It's EARLY Christmas morning right now ... 1.30 a.m. and I need to go to bed. Santa's coming!!)

Traditions

Yesterday we baked and looked at Christmas lights ... all while singing or listening to Christmas carols. Ahhh, it's finally time to relax and enjoy the holiday!
Carrot Cake

Peanut butter balls covered in chocolate

Christmas lights and caroling!

We're off to Memphis for a 24-hour visit with the paternal side of the family. We'll be back just in time for the Christmas Eve service.

Lights!

just the tree and me

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. This leading-up-to Christmas season has seriously kicked my butt. I've been worn out with all of the friends, festivities and holiday hooplah. But tomorrow is Friday and it rings in the beginning of what I hope will be some calmness, going to bed before 1 a.m. and having time to reflect and breathe!

Family time will be good this weekend. We're going to West Tennessee on Sunday and returning on Monday. Our trip will be bookended by church: Sunday morning service and then the Christmas Eve service. Much reflection to be had. And then Christmas and the day after will be AT HOME with the family.

Last night I came home before 10 for the first time in a while and made the comment to my mom that I wanted to stay home and just enjoy the Christmas tree. I love sitting in a dark room with just the Christmas tree turned on and basking in the glow. So far this year, the tree and I have become strangers in the night with not much more than a glance here, and a glance there. But that will all change tomorrow.

The presents have been purchased and all but three are wrapped ... no more mall traffic. The Christmas letters have been printed and the cards are in the mail. It's all downhill from here.

Are you ready for Christmas?