More Christmas Traditions

Christmas Eve our traditional dinner is a variety of hors de oreves. This year we had several kinds of dips and chips etc.. We also had some Mini Corn Souffles and Mini Empanadas, Mini Pigs in a Blankets, Sweet & Sour Meatballs and Sausages, Pizza Muffins... I could go on. The kids have sparkling cider and the adults had wine. One of my favorites this year was Karen's homemade Humus and Pita Points.

After dinner each of the kids gets to pick one present from under the tree to open early. The youngest goes first. Michelle opened her Kitty Cat Toe Socks from mom and dad. Kyle went next. He opened the Microphone from Grandma Grissom. Tyler opened a game, 'Puerto Rico' from Uncle Gary. Jamie went next. She picked one present but Nancy insisted she open the one from her and Howard. It was a box of chocolates.... Nanny wanted some Chocolate. Bob opened opened the Scene-it. A Movie based game.

Tyler and Karen had gone to Melodies earlier in the day to exchange gifts. Tyler received the game "Cranium" Bob, Jamie, Tyler, Karen, Michelle and I played it that evening. Bob and Jamie won.

After all the kids were snuggled in their beds with vision of sugar-plums etc. Santa filled the stockings and left gifts by the fireplace.

Christmas morning some of the kids still get excited and wake up WAY to early. Karen and I said we did not want to hear a peep before 7:00. Sure enough as the digital clock moved from 6:59 to 7:00 anxious knock came at our door.... It took a couple of minutes to get Karen, Bob and Tyler out of bed.

Karen and I go first so we can take pictures of each child as they come down the stairs. We each grab our stockings, stuffed with candy and small gifts and empty them out. Then we go around the room and in turn each open our Santa gifts one at a time. When this is done it is ... oh... about 7:30 (yawn). I make breakfast, the kids move all the presents from under the downstairs tree to the attic. Eeveryone showers and gets ready for Nancy, Howard and Gary to arrive., usually between 9:00 and 9:30. Once everyone is set in their spot, and everyone has THEIR spot. We start with the youngest and each person opens one present. This continues until every present is opened, between the chit chat and stories about one gift or another it takes a couple of hours. But this is good. Everyone gets to see the reactions and who bought what for who etc.

After the ribbons are back in the bag to be recycled next year, all the wrapping paper is in trash bags and the boxes and such are in the garage preparation for our traditional Christmas feast commences. We do not have a traditional meal. We just eat a big meal at 2:00 and then later at dinner time we have dessert.

The rest of the day is spent relaxing and playing games and messing around with our new toys.

There ya go. That is Christmas around the NC Grissom's / Geisler's household.

I'll let you all know more about what we all received next post or two.

Have a happy new year!