The Day After...

It's the day after Christmas and everyone I've spoken to is in desperate need to take a nap & recouperate after the whirl-wind called Christmas. Myself included.

This weekend was a bustle of activity from start to finish. We finished up all of the shopping, wrapping, baking & getting things together. It was a very jam-packed weekend for us as well. Saturday we cleaned the house, I made gift bags, we made appetizers & dessert for Christmas Eve & day, and then Dan settled in to watch his Christmas movies (Elf & A Christmas Carol).

Christmas Eve started our whirl-wind tour of South Eastern MA. We stopped at Steve & Ann's to see them and give the girl's their gifts. Then we headed over to Steve & Carolyn's so we could spend some quality time with them and give the boys their presents. Thankfully Nick, Chris & Will all seemed to like their gifts, so that was a very nice feeling that we got something for each of them that they will be able to use! There were also 2 Secret Santa gifts to give: Steve & myself. THANK YOU, Carolyn - She's the best Secret Santa!

After spending time with the Chiocco clan, we headed to 5pm mass at St Marks. Although I love Christmas mass at St Marks more than any other church in the world, I do have to admit it was pretty anti-climatic this year. From mass, we met up with my parents & sister for a quick drink (ginger ale for me, of course) and then headed to my uncle's house for a gathering. It was a fairly lowkey gathering this year and most of us spent time watching A Christmas Story. Another classic, according to Dan.

We got home around 11:30pm, which was very much past my bed time. But we had to get things together for Christmas day and by the time we did that and had our tradition of reading "Twas the Night before Christmas", it was actually Christmas. So we opened a couple presents, and then headed up to bed so Santa could bring the rest.

The next morning, we opened up the rest of our presents, and headed to my parents house for

breakfast & Secret Santa. I even had time to post my weekly blog entries yesterday, however I must have been so excited that I missed a few questions. No worries, all is well. After a nice, relaxing breakfast & gift swap we went over to Gary & Sharon's for dinner. Christmas, this year, was very nice. Even though it was busy and we traveled everywhere, it was relaxing. Everyone had a nice time, there was no drama, no stress, just enjoying people's company. This was one of my favorite adult Christmas'.

Here is a picture of us in front of Gary & Sharon's tree. It's amazing that pictures show you just how short & pregnant one can look.

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.

or for Alyson & Moira: a funky, funky Christmas...