just like every other morning here in my late forties, on december 25th, i awakened at 430 am or so. it worked out nicely, because i hadn’t done the stockings the night before, so i had PLENTY of time to do that and still savor (many) a cup of coffee. in the dark. in the glow of the christmas tree for the last time it will seem magical. (december 26 lights do not hit the same. they just mean clutter and a reminder that the monumental task of packing this all away awaits me).
when i say i had plenty of time, i really meant hours upon hours. these teens and tweens just sleep their little hearts out. same for the middle aged dog. but eventually, they awakened, ready to learn what riches are to be bestowed upon them. but first, the obligatory christmas tree pic.
and, it was only fitting that in a year where anna would get a cd and cassette player and i got a ’96 jeep cherokee, that i would commemorate this christmas with an actual physical photo, taken with an instax “polaroid” camera i received on my bday.
then. i proceeded to do an absolutely terrible job at taking pics of them opening our gifts. it was all pretty quick since they all got something big this year (sewing machine for hazel, guitar for anna, gaming monitor and drive for ike). but i was sure to get some shots of them opening gifts from long distance family.
derek just gave me a pile of cash (money set aside in an account), to be used at a later date. i had some things that i wanted for camping and hiking. or maybe a watch upgrade. but, recent health/life stuff has brought some of my hopeful aspirations to a screeching halt. so, this money will be there if i ever get out of this hole. or i’ll use it on something else when i accept these current circumstances might just be how my life is now. womp womp. but. i did get a laptop for school and some cool stickers for it. and this very awesome bills duck for my jeep (despite my refusal to embrace the jeep duck culture).
after the gifts were opened and the messes cleaned, for the second year, we had some our pals the muncy’s over for brunch. i think this constitutes calling it an annual tradition now.
we had french toast casserole, corned beef hash, bacon, hashbrowns, eggs, bagels, and english muffins. and maybe later, some cookies.
after they left, derek’s parents rolled in for the afternoon. it was pretty chill. i think some naps happened. derek prepared a massive feast of prime rib and mac and cheese and brussels sprouts and other stuff that i can’t remember because there has just been so much eating and eating at this point and i didn’t take any pics to jog my memory. i do, however, have these pictures of our deserts.
we kicked them out with enough time to binge watch the second part of season five of stranger things. well. the kids and derek. i fell asleep on the couch.
a week later, we assembled once again, this time at the grandlidboms house, on new years eve, to officially celebrate “swedish christmas”. once again, i failed at documenting much. just these two pics of the gift opening MAYHEM. when these five grandchildren were kids and toddlers and babies (and not 60% adult men), we all fit a lot better.
