My Heart Runneth Over: Christmas 2011

This year we had a little bit of an unconventional Christmas. I was due to work a 24 hour shift on Christmas so we decided to celebrate early …and late for that matter. We ended up having Christmas all week long. Ella was opening presents for days. We weren’t able to be with all of our families this year but thanks to the wonderful world of Skype we were able to open presents together with the Grandparents and Uncle Rusty and Michelle, and Aunt Cookie too.

We had a really special Christmas Eve this year. The day started off with a wonderful brunch at the Cushinotto’s house. It was so nice to celebrate with them. Santa heard that Mommy had to work on Christmas (he must understand…he’s been working Christmas eve for years!) and that Keith, Jen, and Maddy were heading to Germany that day so he paid us a visit a little earlier this year! The girls were a bit shy around him but we all thought it was so sweet of him to visit and it really added to the festivities. Madison was super shy but did make sure to tell him to “Have a safe flight” as he walked out the door!It is so fun watching the cousins together now that they are a bit older. Madison played her keyboard from Grandma and Pop Pop and Ella danced and danced. It was quite the racket….but music to all of our ears!

Aunt Jenny had a great idea a few years back when Madison was a baby to get her Christmas jammies every year. When Ella was born we hijacked the idea and ran with it. And now I love seeing the girls in their matching PJs!

I think one of the reason the brunch was so special was that in those few hours we all stopped and just enjoyed one another…fully present and not distracted by the things that don’t matter much. No shopping, no TV or Cell Phones, no running around. It was such a sweet time filled with laughter, warmth, and cheer.

Ronnie and Mike joined us later for Christmas Eve dinner and service at church. This is the first holiday that we have been able to celebrate with them so it was extra special. I enjoyed making a few new recipes this year…my favorite was the Marsala Glazed Carrots. Yummm!

It was such a special day! And celebrating our Lord and Savior, the true meaning of Christmas, with family was a perfect way of finishing the night off.