Ho Ho Ho. What a crazy few weeks. This may be a long post, lots of moving parts, so if I foget something, please forgive me.
Christmas was a huge pile of awesome crazyness again this year.
December 16 – VanDalen Christmas. Aunt Jane hosted dinner this year in her new place in Cayuga. Firs time I have been there. Still seems strange not going to the old house, but times change, and people must as well. Not everyone was able to make it this year, but they were there in spirt. And if you didnt make it in person, know we were probably talking about you đ Seriously though, it was a very nice night. Got to catch up with cousins, aunts and uncles who I dont see as much as I should.
Christmas eve : I had some running around to do during the day while Shannon and the kids went to Hamilton to visit her Mom, Jordan+Stacie (who were in this year for a week). After that, she met me at home to pack some stuff up. Over to my parents to open jammies before heading up to the Christmas Eve party at the Shoups. This has long been one of my favorite parts of Christmas. Everyone hanging out, laughing, eating, drinking and just being together. The kids were crazy – in a good way. After the kids finally started slowing down we headed home to bed so Santa could come.
Very Very Quick Sleep.
Christmas morning : Jeff &Cathy and Jordan& Stacie came out first thing. The kids were a bit dopey, but of course spoiled by Nana and Popa Jeff. They only brought a ‘couple’ presents. Trying to see everyone on Christmas is a challenge, thankfully Jeff and Cathy have been able to make the early morning trip out this year to see the kids. Despite the chaos, it works for us. Thanks again for making the trip out. Next year, you can sleep in, and dinner will be at your place. Not sure if thats less work for them or not, but either way, I look forward to it
Christmas early day: off to the Shoups! Santas pile has been thrown in the jeep and off to the Shoups we go ! There we met up with just about the whole gang. Everyone files into the basement (including Grandpa!) who walked down the stairs with only a little help… And then the crazy starts. They had a 6`tree which only had about 1-2 feet visble up top. And a 4-5 foot perimter of presents all the way around. No jokes. This is a pile of presents. After a couple hours of frenzied unwrapping, laughing and wrapping paper fights, we finally had everything open. The spoiling continues, for EVERYONE. Unfortunately the huge amount of gifts ate into breakfast time, so sadly we missed the huge breakfast spread Uncle Shoupie had been prepping. Smelled great. mmm bacon.
Christmas MidDay : quick stop home to unload the jeep, and then onwards to Grandma MaryJane and Popa Dave`s place. J&S met us there as well. The presents continues… Will it ever end? Once again — spoiled. Sadly I had a touch of a headache by this point of the day. Lack of sleep was catching up with me. I know the kids and Shannon enjoyed themselves despite my foggy head. Thankfully we got a round 2 with Dave and MJ on the 27th. More on that later…
Christmas Evening: thats right. Still going…. BACK to the Shoups for a turkey dinner with everyone. Dinner was awesome, as always. Pretty sure I doubled my weight in turkey/stuffing/mashed potatoes. But sooo good. The fun continued on late into the evening. As much as Christmas used to be my less-the-favorite day, I can honestly say, as I get older, and the crazier Christmas day gets with our 3 family marthon, the better it gets. I no longer have just one family, I some how ended up with 3. How can that be a bad thing?
Home. Sleep.
Boxing Day : ROUND 3 đ Piled up in the Jeep and off to Jeff and Cathys for an AWESOME boxing day dinner. Jeff, once again out did himself. The food, the presents (ya, he wasnt kidding when he said they only brought a few Christmas morning).. Couple family friends joined us for dinner including Steve and Fallon who went on the wedding cruise last year with us. Was great seeing everyone. Once again, and awesome time was had by all. Pretty sure any weight loss I had since September is out the window. If you have ever had a roast with the Woodalls, you know the taste is worth the tight belt at the end of the night. MMmm mmoooo
As if the Christmas train felt like it should be long done, it carried on to the 27th. Jeff and Cathy bought the kids an extra surprise. Cathy took them, Shannon and Stacie to Disney on Ice. Two very, very excited kids. Really funny to hear the stories when they got home about the charectors falling down, and skating and doing tricks. Abby and Joey had so much fun, it is all I heard about for the next couple days.
27th part deux : Once they got home, and I finished work, we headed back to MJ and Daves for dinner. Was a nice quiet meal for once. Felt almost strange eating without 25-35 people around đ Still was very nice. Been too long since we had a Christmas dinner with Shannons Mom and Dave. Seems like every year something comes up and things get cancelled. Thankfully not this year.
Annnnnd New Years đ This year, the whole family headed to the Armstrongs for dinner. Been a bunch of years since we all went there for a party. It was just as fun and crazy as one would expect. Uncle Buddy and Aunt Kelly (with a lot of help from Erin) did an awesome job. Mmmm ham+potatoes. Not helping my figure much, but made for a great New Years. Sadly my kids were beyond tired, so we ended up heading home around 10:30 to put them to bed. Then Shannon and I spent some quiet time on the couch with the original Fast and Furious until 11:45. Switched onto the dish just in time to totally miss the ball dropping due to picking the wrong channel. *grr*. All in all, it was a great way to spend New Years Eve.
I have to say a huge thank you to everyone who was with me at any point over the holidays. Like I said on a facebook post a week or two ago, it is not the presents or hoopla which surrounds Christmas that is important. It’s the family, and being around those who you love. Thank you very much, and I love you all! And If I cut something short, or missed something, again please forgive me but this post is long and my mind is short. I will have another post next week, but I wanted to keep this one about the holidays..
New Years Resolution: I spent some time lately reading over this website. Its funny that despite it being my life, I had forgetten so many things which I posted up years ago. Because of this, I am going to try and make an extra effort this year to post at LEAST once a month. Hopefully twice. That way, years from now, it can act like a time capsule for the kids to go back and read through Dads crazy blogs about car, kids, life and everything in between. Hopefully they learn something about me they didnt know, or maybe just gets some insight as to how my mind works (or doesnt). Either way, Abby and Joey : Daddy loves you very much, and I cant wait to spend this year and every one after it with you and your Mommy.