Christmas Post!

So, I never really got into the Christmas spirit this year. Maybe I’m just getting old and cranky. Or maybe I need some kids to make it exciting again.

We started off the festivities on Friday night with Ryan and Elise. We’ve been meaning to get together for dinner at the Pear Tree (where Colin works) for some time now and when I saw a Groupon for dinner for 4 I snatched it right up! Elise is going away for 2 weeks to the Philippines with her school, and both of them have been so busy that we really haven’t seen them since Vegas. Friday was literally the only day we could do it, and despite Elise not feeling well we had an amazing meal. It was so nice to catch up!

Christmas Eve we had dinner with my Moms side of the family.

This should totally be our Christmas Card for next year.

After dinner we went back to my parents house to open pressies.

Christmas Day we got up early go to Mass. We went to a Church in Surrey since we had to be out that way anyways. Mass was a bit of a gong show. Chad and I are very traditional when it comes to the Churches we like. My Uncles Church is very tradition which is why we love it, but there is this kind of evangelical movement that a lot of Philippinos like, and since they make up a large part of the Catholic community in Vanoucver, some of the Churches have gone along with that style. Personally, Chad and I can’t stand it. Power point presentations, Boney M songs, synthesizers. It felt like we were at a Christmas Concert, not Christmas Mass. Sorry, I know, Chad and I are snobs.

After Mass we headed over to the In-Laws for the tradition Christmas Breakfast.

My first experience with having to stir natural peanut butter.

I am the unofficial gift giver outer so there was no time for pictures.

After breakfast we helped clean up. Then I played with the cat, desipte my allergies, and Chad worked on the computer. Then we took a nap and I watched TV.

Christmas Dinner was at the Heagles, Chads Moms side of the family. I was exhausted so I didn’t take my camera out.

Kitchen Stuff was the big theme this year. Apparently most of my requests were quite difficult to find. Sorry! I was very happy with everything I got though. Got some other goodies in the form of yoga clothes and Chad got me the pasta attachments for my KitchenAid Stand Mixer, which will be arriving in the New Year.

Boxing Day we got up early for our traditional shopping experience but I didn’t buy anything. We had lunch at Jim & Marisas which is tradition, and then dinner at the In-Laws with Chads Dads side of the family.

Boxing Day + 1 was busy again. Chad and I decided to go shopping. He pick up a wack load of clothes at 50% off, and I got my Le Creuset Utensil Crock. We came home and rested for a bit before heading out for dinner number 5. Boxing Day Dinner with the Rossis (Dads side of the family).

We covered all our bases and saw everyone we could ever be related to. I’m thankful for our big families and all our family dinners, but I do kind of wish Christmas could be a LITTLE more relaxing. At the same time, it’s only once a year!

Hope everyone else had a wonderful Christmas!

It’s Christmas Eve and it’s raining. Where is all the snow!?

I guess it will be a wet Christmas this year, but we will be all warm and cozy inside!

Time to relax and enjoy all the family and food.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, from our family to yours!

This is has been the first time in years that I have been filled with zero Christmas spirit. Maybe it has something to do with being homeless. If Mom hadn’t put up the tree, I wouldn’t have complained. I didn’t miss it like Chad missed it.

I guess it feels like everything is off to a late start this year. The stress of moving, then Mom and Dad being away. You can’t really go ahead and fill someone else’s house with Christmas decorations now can you.

This is also the first year that I have nothing planned for Chad for Christmas. I actually tried to convince him that we should save our money and not get each other Christmas gifts this year. That didn’t really work. I am still stuck on what to get him and that never happens. Time is running out and I am getting stressed!

Gifts as a kid were a big deal, of course, but for some reason, I always felt bad asking for what I really wanted. I was very money conscious as a kid and if I thought something was probably too expensive and my parents probably wouldn’t get it for me anyways, I never asked for it. Hence, the Easy Bake Oven. Just ask my Mom about it. It was something that I wanted for YEARS but never asked for because I thought it was too pricey, and of course, those who don’t ask don’t get. My Mom had no idea I was so obsessed with it and so she never bought it. I blame this on why I am such a terrible baker.

Then there was the time I finally did ask for what I really wanted, the Ken and Barbie wedding set. I was like 99% sure I was going to get it, until I started to unwrap the present and I realized it was knock off Ken and Barbie getting married. It was like the most disappointing thing ever.

These two events pretty much scared me for life. This is why now, when I am asked what I want for my Birthday or Christmas, I am anally specific. Yea, it makes me look like a snob, but that’s too bad. Honestly, I prefer you buy me nothing, but if you really do want to get me something then this is what I want. And really, as far as I see it, being specific about something just makes it easier for the person buying the gift. No thinking required!

We finally finished all our shopping last night. The stress of it all caused me to yell at my phone in the middle of Chapters because Chad was texting me every 30 seconds about this gift for my Mom. I almost punched an innocent bystander. But it was OK, we got it all done. That is, expect for our gifts for each other.

The stress of buying gifts. I just don’t get it. It makes me not want to buy anyone gifts. How about I make you some potatoes instead. I’m really good at that!

Christmas.

While we still went here, there, and everywhere, Christmas didn’t seem as busy this year. There was much more time for naps even though they didn’t do anything other then make me cranky. I am a bad napper.

We started off the month of Christmas with a little Tree decorating.

We then headed over to my Moms to do her Tree.

And as tradition would have it, I also went to my Zia Marias to decorate her tree.

That’s three trees for me!

This year we did the usual, Midnight mass, presents in the morning, and then off to Casa Ciavarro.

I forgot how deathly that whole experience is.

You’re lucky if you make it home by 2am after Mass and visiting and all that goes on with it. Then we have to be up by 7:30 in order to open our gifts to each other, shower, change, and hit the road by 8:30 to be there for 9.

Side note, do you see me clutching my pink blanket like a 5 year old!?

Chad bought me a lot of little things and wrapped them all up so it looked like he got me double the stuff I got him. Sneaky guy.

Top gifts from Chad this year include Lululemon pants and yoga mat, loose leaf Earl Grey Tea, a Diners Drive-Ins & Dives book, and Body Shop essentials.

I got him thoughtful gifts, as I usually do, including 2 books read by Don Draper in Mad Men, 30 for 30, and some special mementos framed.

Christmas morning at Casa Ciavarro.

Yes, it’s true, I turned 85 this Christmas.

Not only did I get this book on gardening, but I also received yarn, knitting needles, a book on knitting and crocheting, a pill splitter, and all 7 seasons of the Golden Girls (all of which I asked for). Yup, it looks like 2011 is the year I get comfortable with soft foods and retirement!

The chaos and disaster of presents is the best part of the morning.

And then there is Tractor. He blends in so well.

Chad was the good Uncle who built Jonas’ Lego space ship thingy. I was too busy figuring out what Cacti I was going to plant in my garden come Spring.

Christmas dinner was spent with my parentals and family this year.

Nonna is always in charge of carving the turkey.

There was only 11 of us this year. Only.

Zia Paula tried to make Zoey look cute, but she ended up looking Asian instead.

The parentals spoiled us as per usual.

Mom got me the Golden Girls because Chad wouldn’t and she got Chad the Pacific because I wouldn’t. See how it all works out in the end.

The madness didn’t stop there. Dinner with the Ciavarros on Sunday and Rossis on Monday capped off our Christmas festivities.

It was a whirlwind few days, and I’m glad the madness is all over. Now it’s onto the New Year!

Lots of love to all my readers, new & old.

Merry Christmas, from two crazy Italians!