Christmas In Virginia

Two Cuties

Jill And Family

Better Together

Well, it's Christmas morning and I was up at 6:40 and now, at 7:50 I am still drinking coffee by myself although I hear someone stirring upstairs, most likely my son-in-law, Drew.  It's overcast and this might be the warmest Christmas since spending one in Florida back in 1995 because it's may get up to 70º later today.  

Getting Ready

Halle And Her Mom

A Girl's Best Friend

Friday we spent a good part of the day as a family getting ready for our Christmas Eve gathering. After a leisurely morning, of coffee, listening to Christmas carols and breakfast, Drew and I drove off to hit five different stores, B.J's, then wine, then booze, then grocery, then hardware. While we were out shopping, Jill was also out at different stores as were the girls. By 1:00, however, everyone was home and Jill and Evie started prepping the drinks and food for Christmas Eve. For lunch, I had a bowl of clam chowder which Jill had made, and ate a piece of the leftover pizza.  I managed to avoid helping out as I napped and read for an hour, recharging my battery after getting up early. 

Ready For Christmas Eve

Drew's Family

Jill And Mom

Drew's Sister And Brother In Law

By 3:30, we were ready and Drew's Mom and two sisters, and their families arrived, eight of them.  So it was going to be sixteen of us for dinner, drinks, and appetizers. We spent much of the afternoon in the kitchen, gathered around the appetizers, the young ones enjoying a prosecco punch, the rest of us either beer or wine. It was fun for us to see Drew's family once again and it's been a couple of years at least. By 5:00, the kids ended up in the basement, playing games, the adults upstairs talking and prepping dinner.

The Men

Grandkids And Cousins

Cousins/Sister In Law

ShotSkis

Yippee! We Did It!

Pepper And Me

At 6:30 the buffet was ready, and I had carved the tenderloin, Jill made the salad, and Evie had warmed up a couple trays of stuffed shells, either spinach or chicken. Everything was delicious, of course, and nothing was left for today, alas, no roast beef sandwiches.  We sat around talking and laughing, reminiscing and reflecting on years past with the grandkids until 9:30 when Drew's family headed home. The four of us then sat around the living room, enjoying a nightcap for Evie and Jill, an eggnog martini, a bourbon on the rocks for me, and a black Manhattan for Drew. Needless to say, it was a nice way to end the day and we all seemed to have slept well. 

After Dinner

Can't Wait Till Christmas