White Christmas

Today we had our almost annual Christmas in January. My dad and stepmom go to Florida from mid-Decmeber to mid-January and often that means having Christmas with them in January. It hasn't happened that way every year but most of us would prefer it that way.

This year we planned to meet for brunch and gift exchange. We woke to about 3 inches of snow and very cold conditions. Sleet and icy rain followed the snow making driving a lot of fun (NOT!). Dave, Jimmy, Emma and I arrived a little before 11. We were STARVING. I had been out running and had only had a granola bar to tide me over. The others ate sparingly (if at all) knowing that Dinana is such a good cook. Unfortunately, due to the weather (getting stuck behind a snowplow can really slow one's progress) the other family members - Christine, Amanda & Bruce and Erin did not arrive until around 11:30.

Brunch was as good as expected consisting of scrambled egg casserole, mixed fruit, biscuits and sausage gravy. I didn't have the sausage gravy but I heard it was very good. Brunch was followed by birthday ice cream cake in honor of Christine (1/29) and Emma (1/31).

We spent a good amount of time around the table reminiscing about Christmas' and other family gatherings. As in most families there are things that just won't be forgotten. I'm pretty sure we remember most of the same stories year after year but it never seems to grow old and we laugh just as hard each time.

We also made a decision to 'officially' change Erin's name to Fred. Family members know that thanks to Uncle Thomas, Erin earned the nickname Fred several years ago while playing "HATS" at Aunt Meg's sibling BBQ. Asked to relate the story to Gumpop and Dinana however, we realized that, similar to "Where's the Pool" no one was quite sure exactly how the name thing happened but we know it involved the people named above. Anyway, the reason for the 'official' name change is that Emma's boyfriend is named Arron and the confusion - although often comical - was getting to be too much. Emma pointed out that it was interesting that Erin who is family by blood was having her name changed whereas Arron who is not family gets to keep his. We tried to consider changing Arron's by asking what his middle name was. It's Christopher. Well we already have a Christopher (Dinan's son) and a Chris (my sister) in the family so that would not do. Therefore, Fred it is .

After breakfast and birthday cake we went to the living room to exchange gifts. After that there was the annual reading of "Red Ranger Came Calling". Dad first read this book to Amanda in 2000. Then in 2001 to both Emma and Amanda at Christmas. I don't remember when Erin joined in but it is written in the front cover of the book. Dates also inscribed there include the year that Gumpop forgot to bring the book (celebration was at our house that year) and the girls made him go back to get it and the year that the lights went out and they had to read by flashlight. As you can imagine every year now someone checks to make sure there are batteries for the flashlight and that Gumpop has not fogotten the book. :)

After the reading was completed, Dave commented that it was evident how important this reading was because it took priority over the first half of the Villanova basketball game. So we turned on the game and all watched the second half and the overtime. Villanova won (over St. John's).

All in all a very good day! :) Here are some picures.

Wating.... and blocking the heat from the fireplace



Yes, Emma really does have a brother. 



Cute picture of Amanda and Bruce

Two of these really did contain Pajamas!

It's all about the boxes. These two have been known to argue
over who got the best box at Christmas.

Gettin gready for "Red Ranger Came Calling"