(I found this picture on yahoo...cool isn't it?)

Christmas Eve

I have so many childhood memories of the excitement that hits on Christmas Eve. I can remember one Christmas Eve when I tried to go to bed at about 7 O’clock just to hurry things along as I would sleep – time traveling so to speak. My parents would not allow me to do it but I survived until Christmas morning.

My parents always did well with my Christmas gifts. I can’t remember being disappointed with what Santa brought me. I always reasoned that I got such nice gifts because I was such a good boy. That of course wasn't always the case.

In addition to the awesome gifts, I also really enjoy when extended family members would visit. Having family visiting was a lot of fun for me. I had my male cousins to play with which was always a circus atmosphere and then there was the food. So much good food! Many baked goods and delicious desserts.

As I look back on it, what I remember most are the good times we had with each other as a family. The toys were nice but they really were a small part of the holiday. The memories I have with my family are still with me and will remain for as a long as I have a memory. Hope you all had a happy Christmas Even and have a great Christmas week.





Christmas Day

I slept in this morning while my parents attended 8 a.m. Mass. They no longer like to go to Midnight (10:45 p.m.) mass on Christmas Eve with the rest of us - my dad complains the service is too long, and makes him fall asleep.

Our routine in my family is pretty much the same every year; my Mom prepares a great brunch out of the Christmas Even leftovers. My favorite dish she makes is her famous Ham, cheese, orzo, asparagus, and eggplant Frittata - it is so good! We basically clean out the refrigerator and throw everything in it. It's like an open faced Omelette only denser and can be sliced into thick wedges like a pie.

Then we open our family gifts. This year I asked my parents for money, but to my surprise they also got me a Sirius Satellite XM radio for my car! The thing rocks! What I like about the model is it's removable/portable - that way there is less chance of it getting stolen out of my vehicle.



I gave my mother this for her gift:


A Macy's Gift Card



and

The One Glove




For my dad I got this for him:


I pod portable speakers


My sister just wanted a gift card as did my brother-in-law, but I did buy this for my nephew:


And tonight my Mom and I will be watching The Christmas Story together. It has become a yearly tradition for us - it's a great movie and I never get bored watching it with her.

What are the rest of you up to?