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Christmas has come and gone and it was very good this year. 
It started off with our Meat Reward party, which was a lot of fun. We had a bunch of friends over to eat my annual Christmas ham from Granger, as well as some baked macaroni and cheese, potatos, green beans, bread, etc. We also did the gift exchange and played some most excellent board games. 
Two days later, Jenna and I exchanged presents in the morning and then in the evening we had a family Christmas party at our house. We wanted to show the house off to the family that hadn’t seen it at all or lately. We served appetizers, mostly cheese (including fondue, which was delicious) and meatballs, along with some pigs in blankets, and fruits/vegetables. It was fun showing off the house to everyone. 
The next day (Christmas Eve) we set out our luminaria and went down to Pa’s for the standard festivities. We had fried chicken from Busch’s and immediately proceeded to presents. Pa received the cutest gift ever, his new kitten Fluffy. Pictures exist, and are in the gallery which is either soon to exist or already does depending on when you read this. Afterwards, we were going to go to church but God showed how much he loves us by sending nasty ice storms that cancelled the service.  We went over to my parents for story reading time, and then went home to spend our first Christmas Eve night in our house. 
The next morning we went to my parents again for present-opening and brunch, and then went over to the Crawford’s for present-opening and dinner.  Caitlin and Reggie came in late Christmas Eve/early Christmas morning, so we were able to spend quality family time with all of the Crawfords.  Caitlin and Reggie are getting very excited about their upcoming wedding, which was really nice to see.  In a continuing theme, dinner was meat and baked macaroni and cheese, which was again incredibly delicious.   
The next day, Jenna, my parents, Matt, Erica, and I went to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert at the Palace.  It was amazing.  It was really long, and there was a lot more singing than I thought there was going to be, but I enjoyed myself thoroughly.  I really like classical music, electrical guitars, fireworks, light shows, laser shows, people that look like it is still the 80’s, and Christmas.  Combine those all into one show, and I am hooked. 
Lastly (as far as Christmas celebrations go), we went to the Crawford’s yesterday to celebrate with Aunt Cheryl, Uncle Bill, Amber, Anthony and Linus (Amber and Anthony’s annoying dachshund).  It was a pretty casual sandwich and hors d’oeuvres type affair.  It was good to see everyone, and we showed off our house again since Amber and Anthony had not seen it yet. 
I literally liked every present I got this year – no ugly clothes or anything to that effect – so thank you so much to everyone.  I was trying to list everything, but have no need for everyone to know how much of a spoiled brat I am.
I had a remarkably long run of Christmas spirit this year – going on a full month now and it’s not really over.  The farther I get from having worked in retail, the more I like and appreciate the season.  Hooray.