Holiday Recap

As usual, the holidays came and went too quickly.  I could have used a few more days off, but back to work I went.  This year was different than years past, mainly for the reason that we are now much closer to all of our family.  Being closer meant being busier, but I think it also meant being blessed with much more family celebrations.  I've counted five different Christmas celebrations over the course of 4 days!

We ushered in the holiday season with the North Carolinian Donovans visiting us for one night on their way to New Jersey.  We enjoyed their visit, albeit short.  Two days later, we anxiously awaited the arrival of the Floridian Donovans.  They arrived on a relatively empty plane to a relatively uncrowded airport on Christmas Eve night.  We were all so excited to see each other, and the fun ensued.  Putting out cookies, getting the kids settled, wrapping presents while chatting and drinking wine late into the night.  We celebrated a wonderful Christmas morning in our house.  Quinn's prize gift from Santa was a Kindle, and Keely's an American Girl Doll (Julie, of the 1970s era).  They got lots of other gifts as well, and we spoiled Adelia probably a little too much but the gifts were a hit and they gave her a few things to play with over the week she was at our house (we're not flush with two year old appropriate toys anymore...go figure).  Christmas dinner was simple, yet delicious - ham, sweet potato casserole, asparagus and Hawaiian rolls.

On Monday morning, we headed north to continue the festivities and on to the aforementioned four remaining celebrations.  We had dinner and presents at Grandma & Grandpa's on Monday night, breakfast &presents (a 2nd Christmas morning, if you will) with Nana, Papa and Annie on Tuesday morning, and headed up to Staten Island on a very rainy Tuesday night to celebrate with Great Grandma, Aunt Donna & family and some other SI family.  On Wednesday night, we traveled the short distance to Aunt Gail's for a delicious dinner and yet another celebration.  On Thursday, we rounded up the troops and traveled back home to Virginia - exhausted, overloaded with presents (mostly for the kids) and ready for a few days of break from the hub bub.

The rest of the long weekend went fast.  We went to see ZooLights at the National Mall, visited Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Iwo Jima and a bit of Arlington National Cemetery.  We rang in the New Year with a competitive game of Harry Potter Scene It, a bit of Love Actually and SNL Christmas Edition before watching the ball drop in Times Square.  Keely made it until about 11:56 PM, and then was asleep for the big event.  We tried to wake her but she was passed out!  I guess next year maybe she will make it until midnight.


New Years Day was quiet, we took a trip to another local park and James made a simple yet delicious pasta dinner.  I also couldn't not mention that we tried our first Vietnamese food on NYE for lunch from a restaurant called Pho Hot.  Very tasty, and thanks to Uncle Ryan for helping us navigate the menu and try a few new things!

Early Monday morning, our guests departed for warm sunny Florida.  We all enjoyed each other's company, and we were all sad to see them go.  Their time with us went too fast, as typically happens but we can't wait to see them again soon!  Next time in that warm sunny location, preferably on a beach :)

So on we go into 2012, another new year.  2011 was a big year for us, a huge cross country move and our first trip abroad were the major happenings.  I can't wait to see what 2012 has in store for us!