Merry Christmas

On Christmas Day, Mary Anne/Aga/Mom had to work so Rolf's sister, Evie and her husband Sebastien hosted everyone for a brunch at their house just down the road. We had everything from banana pancakes with chocolate chips to kringle (another Graning tradition) to bacon to egg dish to fruit and the list goes on. Needless to say we were not hungry again for a long while. After brunch we headed back to the Graning's to start cooking dinner. We divided up all of the dishes and by the time Mary Anne made it home from work the meal was almost all pulled together.

Once Mary Anne was home we opened more presents! What? More presents, seriously, looking back on it we sure did open a lot of presents! We are truly blessed! Mary Anne and George did stockings for all of their children and "children-in-law" and then all of the "kids" did stockings for all of the adults. It was really a lot of fun trying to figure out creative gifts that would fit in a stocking. Dode and Doda who also joined us for Christmas this year were the ones that truly spoiled us all especially their grand-nephews.

After we opened presents we all enjoyed another wonderful meal together and then as we cleaned up some people gathered around the piano to sing Christmas carols. I bet you might recognize that guy playing the piano! Finally to cap off the evening, we celebrated my birthday with a wonderful rendition of Happy Birthday, my favorite pecan pie and ice cream for dessert, and some really great birthday presents!

In my 29 years this was only the second time I have celebrated Christmas or my birthday away from my birth family and although I still missed them very much you all made it great! Thank you everyone for making it such a special and memorable Christmas and birthday. I love joining in on old traditions and seeing how new traditions are starting as our family grows. God has truly blessed me and I am so thankful for each and everyone of you.