Christmas 2011

This Christmas may have been one of the best ever.  We were so lucky to be able to spend the weekend before Christmas with Devin's family and four and a half days with my family.  It doesn't make for a very pleasant transition back to work though.  My only complaint is that the time with our families seemed to go by so quickly this year.  I feel like I did an awesome job savoring every moment and gladly traded out sleep for time with family.  But, now I'm feeling a little sleep deprived on a super grey, slow day back in the office.  So, I'm taking some time to relive the holidays.  I didn't even capture a single photo with the Stephens side last weekend.  But, I was able to get quite a few from the McCollum time.

We arrived in Parkersburg, WV on Wednesday the 21st.  We spent that evening and the next one with my Dad's brother and his wife, my Uncle Jim and Aunt Melanie.  Melanie brought us homemade lasagna the first night, and I made nacholadas for my family the next night.  The were around for our annual Bingo playoff as well.  We posed for a picture with them.

Then, with extra people around to hold the camera, we actually managed to get the annual Christmas shot with my parents in the picture, too!

On Friday evening, we had homemade pizza for dinner.  This was part of my sister's and my gift to the family as a whole.  After so much eating, we all went for a walk in the local park that had been decorated for Christmas.  We did the mile loop and took quite a few pictures.  My sisters and I joined in with some carolers.

Tanner and I narrowly escaped being eaten.

Devin and I helped this poor elf carry his candy cane.

And, we found a place to warm up for a while.

Towards the end, I was able to catch a ride.

When we got back to the front, my parents decided they wanted a photo with all of the kids by the sign.  However, this was also at the entrance and exit point for the cars that were driving the loop instead of walking.  We chose to burst out singing spontaneous Christmas carols and waving to appear less suspicious.  Then, Mom's camera stopped working.  We actually made it through a couple songs and had people waving back and thanking us.  It was a hilarious moment that may have confused a few in our group.

On Christmas Eve, Devin and I made a traditional German dinner of wiener schnitzel, spaetzle, knodel, kartoffelsalat, and rot kohl.  It's always a ton of fun to see how much people enjoy this.  We also got pictures in our Christmas costumes per tradition.  Kate has taken to wearing navy blue the past few years on mock protest claiming to be honoring the "night sky" when Jesus was born.

Kass requested a smushed face photo.

Devin also dressed up with us.

And, we got a picture with Dad.  My favorite photo with him at Christmas was taken three years ago.

Christmas morning came, and some of us were more awake than others.  I chose not to include the photo of me sitting against the wall waiting for presents.  I thought I was more awake than Devin but now doubt it after looking at the photo.

The rest of Christmas was filled with Church, games, a delicious Christmas dinner, and watching Little Nemo (not Finding Nemo) with Devin and my siblings.  I was so excited to get that movie, and we all remember it fondly from our childhoods.  I hope your Christmas was just as wonderful...and that you survive the return to real life alright!!