Christmas Eve 2011

The week leading up to Christmas this year had me feeling a tad bit overwhelmed.  I was also nervous as to how this year would go with the Huffman's.  Justin's oldest brother Stan had been doing well and staying out of trouble earlier this year.  For the first time in a long time he had come to Thanksgiving and the whole family was looking forward to having him at Christmas too.  He was absent for so many since I came into the family and I know how much everyone missed him.  But on Monday he got into some trouble and we were not sure if he would be there or not.  And then our nephew Joseph also hit a little road bump and he was not going to be able to make it.  All of these things made me sad.

Justin's brother Dan & his wife Michelle have been hosting Christmas Eve at the house Justin grew up at for a few years.  It is a good "Central" location where everyone is comfortable.  We planned to get together between 11am and 3pm so we could head back to my parents house for our Annual Skype gift exchange with the Pidgeon Family in Boston.

So Justin, Paige & I headed out bright and early.  We stopped at Whole Foods when we got into Santa Cruz to pick-up some shrimp for the shrimp coctail.  We then stopped by our friends Evan & Danielle's house to drop off their Christmas presents.  They were not there yet, so we dropped them off and headed to May Ave a little early.

We unloaded all of the presents (Except Josephs) under the Christmas tree.  Paige & Teagan had a great time playing with the empty boxes.  Our other two nephews arrived shortly after.  Justin sent a couple of Joseph's presents with his mom so he could open them on Christmas (When he was finally home).  All of the kids played outside while I set up some of the appetizers I had brought and I hung out with my sister-in-law for a little bit.  Grandma showed up a little bit later and then Chrissy showed up with a turkey.  Dan & Michelle had also cooked a ham, so we (As usual) had way too much food. 

We ate and hung out together.  We then all gathered into the living room to open presents.  Unfortunately Lucus & Alyssa had to leave around 2pm to go with their Mom to her family's house for Christmas eve.   As much as we try to organize the presents, it is always somewhat Chaotic.  But it was fun never the less!  We all hung out for a little while more before Justin & I loaded up the car and headed back home.  We hope to find a way to spend some more time together as a family next year, but sometimes it is just hard to coordinate!

As usual we got some awesome presents including some pickles, green beans and olives from Grandma! 

Teagan in a box

 Justin & Alyssa

 Teagan Riding her bike

Paige wanted both her & Teagan to wear crowns but Teagen was not that into it!

 My attempt at getting some of the cousins together.  Again- Teagan does not really like to cooperate!

 Dan & Michelle opening Teagans presents with her.

 After Keith missed Christmas last year- I was so happy he was there this year! 

Justin video taping, Carla Chrissy & Stan

 Paige, of course started posing.

 Lucus got a "Cell Phone"- This one was the gag gift.

 This was the real one!

 Teagan & Paige climbed into the gift boxes and then started using the tops as drums.

 Paige was trying to make daddy into a gift!

Lucus opening his new cell phone

We spent a couple of hours at my parents house.  We had a great skype call with the Pidgeons.  It is sometimes hard to organize but we do love to "see" everyone since we don't really get to see most of them unless we go to Boston for a visit.  We then went home to get ready for Santa.  That included sprinkling the reindeer food, getting the milk & cookies ready and watching Prep & landing!