a starry night

Christmas is such a special day, I really enjoy it.  It’s my favorite holiday, not for the commercialism, not even for the presents, but for the tradition!  Of course, we remember the true meaning of Christmas.  Our family is very grateful for the  birth of Jesus.  Don’t worry.  We don’t get too involved in presents and tradition to forget the real reason for Christmas.  BUT, here’s how Christmas operates in the Newby house (or, how it operated today):

7:20 a.m.  — I hear mom scooting along to the bathroom by my bedroom.  I immediately smile because (YAY!) it’s Christmas morning.  I throw off my warm quilts and plant my feet firmly on the ground and then it hits me:  It’s 7:30 a.m., there’s no way my brother is getting out of  bed.  Knowing that it is pointless to get out of bed yet, I climb back in and wait.  I sneezed and my mom heard me, so she knew I was awake.  She called me in to the living room then we waited for my dad to wake up.  He was given the task of waking Daniel up. 

After pulling Daniel out of bed and bringing in some of the remaining presents, we began to open our gifts from mom and dad.  I received some great gifts from them.  I’m really grateful to them.  I got the Bogart collection, the Alfred Hitchcock Signature and Masterpiece Collections, a few Wii games, and some more expansion packs for Sims 2.  Very fun.   After the kids open presents, Mom and Dad take their turn.  Mom loved the gifts we got her (vintage popcorn machine and giftcards to Sephora and C.J. Banks).  Dad got a tool chest for his truck.

9:30 a.m. – After getting ready and loading up the truck (and loading Mom into the truck), we headed over to Grandma’s.  This is where all the big action happens.  This is an all day event.  This is the same way we spend Christmas every year, all of my life.   We eat a great breakfast together.  I have the pleasure of eating at the same table as the men in my family.  I finish my one plate of food, then watch them devour biscuits and jelly.  My brother is addicted to strawberry jelly.  The uncles, cousins, etc. compete with each other about who eats the most.  Daniel’s count?  Well, I lost track after 5.  You get the idea.

Well, we clean up after breakfast which leads to the next event: Presents!

10:30 a.m. — First, I have to tell the story about Keegan.  This four year old is CRAZY and he thinks my mom is a transformer because of the pins on her leg.  It’s great.  Well, I leaned down to talk to him and he pinches my cheek (like, “I’m your grandma and you’re cute” type of cheek pinching.) and he doesn’t let go.  He latched on and held on for a good two mintues until I had to pull him off.  He’s a nut.

Ok, present time.  This is always a test of patience for the older guys.  They like their presents and waiting for their 4 and 6 year old cousins unwrap their presents.  So, they cheat.  They always cheat and slowly pull the tape off the wrapping paper so they can see their gifts.  It’s terrible and it’s funny.  Keegan got quite a few Transformers gifts, his favorite being his Bumblebee PJs from my family.  He put them on almost immediately Cleo got some Nintendo DS games, which is what she asked Santa for. 

My turn came eventually and I got a lap pillow desk (pillow with a desk top and an mp3 hookup.  Very cool.  I got some cute new flats, and a Borders giftcard.  Very good.  The rest of the family went.  My grandma got a potting table for the ladies of the family.  They’re really neat.  Good idea, Gma!

After presents (around 11:30), we threw away the wrapping paper and tore into the kids toys.  Once we set up the Transformers and the DS, we were entertained by the 4 and 6 year olds.  The guys played poker.   The family spent the entire day together, which was so wonderful.  Being at school all the time, I rarely have the opportunity to speand time with them. 

Noah came over later in the afternoon and the family ate dinner around 5-5:30.  Again, I ate at the men’s table (how do I always get stuck at this table??) were the men competitively ate hot rolls.  I love family tradition. 

We came home around 8 and watched the last half hour of Home Alone.  We have seen Home Alone and Home Alone 2 SO many times in the past week.  I don’t really mind though. 

Today was really nice.  I like presents, to be honest, but who doesn’t?  That isnt’ what makes the holiday for me though.  I really love the way we spend our Christmas day together.  Thanksgiving is always a little up in the air.  Some of the family is absent at Thanksgiving, but never at Christmas.  It’s a great day.  I wanted you all to know that. 

Four year olds are so fun, but I am so tired from spending the day with one.  Goodness.  

Merry Christmas everyone!