December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas!

Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas this year! This was Angelica's third and by far my most favorite with her because she really "got" it!

In reality she got to have three Christmases. We spent yesterday at my parents' house for Christmas Eve dinner. My sister's family, including her in-laws (who are also like family to us) were there. It was a great afternoon with good food and good company. Angelica got to open gifts from them while we were there and just had a blast! It was amazing to see her so excited.

Today we had our Christmas morning with just the three of us and it was amazing. Angelica had about 20 presents and it took about 15 minutes for her to rip through all of them. Some of the things "Santa" brought were a Dora table and chairs, a Dora storage system for her room, an easel, a Talking Woody (from Toy Story), a collection of Disney Princess dolls, and a rocking horse.
I also have to add here that Scott got me THE most thoughtful gift ever. We have been together for almost 10 years (in March it will be 10) and he spent a day collecting mementos from our first date...like a receipt for a toll fare from a bridge we drove over, sand from a beach we walked on, a bowl that we used at his grandparents house, a ticket stub from the theater we went to, and a menu from the restaurant where we had dinner. Sometimes I forget what a thoughtful man I am married to. The gift cost almost nothing but meant the world to me.

Anyway, after Christmas morning was over, we drove up to his grandparents house and had Christmas dinner together...that entire side of the family was together for the first time in over three years so it was great! Angelica got to tear into more gifts and had a blast with her Aunts Tarah, Shannon and Jennifer, who she rarely gets to see but loves dearly. She ate dinner and then passed out on the couch until Scott's grandma, uncle, and cousins got home, and then she got to tear into more gifts.

Lest I forget to mention, we also went to Christmas Eve services at our church last night and it was great. Though it's a liberal church, it still covered the meaning of Christmas from a child's perspective, having the children act out the shepherds journey to meet baby Jesus. Since it is a church of liberal faith, the service's message focused on the beauty and promise that the miracle of birth brings to us all.

And with that said, if you could all keep our kitty Mindy in your thoughts and prayers we would appreciate it. Yesterday it looked like she would recover, but today the vet called and she is not progressing as well as they would like. She's old and has lived a happy life, but we would love for her to recover and come home.

So as to not end on a sad note, Angelica got both Woody and Jessie and they have been the biggest hit so far, though she genuinely loved everything she got and I'm sure she will rotate favorites (don't they always)? We also got some incredible gifts from our families, but most important was the time we spent together.

Next we have my nephew's 4th birthday to look forward to...can't believe that beautiful baby boy has grown up so fast!

Finally, thanks to all of you who read and comment on this blog! Your support has meant the world to me and I love reading your blogs as well.

Merry Christmas to all!

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