The Twelve Days of Christmas

It has been a whirlwind Christmas for us, celebrating Christmas now for an entire week. First, We had our own private affair on the morning of the 20th, as we opened up presents from Grandma & Grandpa Abbott. These gifts were brought to us before Christmas to save room for other gifts that were going to be distributed at the Abbott Clan Christmas in Virginia just days ahead.

On Sunday afternoon of the 21st, we loaded the family into the van rental and made a our way to Maryland to visit with Uncle Ethan and Peggy. On Christmas Eve day we exchanged one gift with cousin Orrin and the kids and then made our way to my brother, Josh, in Virginia.

We met up with the rest of the family, 15 in all now for 3 days of fun filled family time; from opening presents to playing with new ones, like our niece's American Idol x-box game where you have to sing your way to the finals that game turned into a karaoke festival with my dad singing hits from the 60's. My mom even got up the nerve to sing "These Boots Were Made For Walking". My sister-n-laws, mom and I sang the Supreme's "Stop In The Name Of Love" with coordinating dance moves. Guido broke out into a song and I followed with a howling rendition of Brenda Lee's "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me". The dogs in the neighborhood were howling on that song. But I did win the finale for American Idol with my rendition of "Tainted Love". Who doesn't love karaoke! Mind you we were all sober, no drinking involved here!

Since we were all together, the Abbott Clan decided to take their family picture(s) at JcPenny's, much to the chagrin of the photo people. Who knew they only did up to 8 person family pictures.? Try to imagine taking pictures with 2 infants, 2 toddlers along with 3 teenagers, and 8 crazy adults. It was a hoot! We did it, as best as we could.

We finished our trip with a return visit to my brother Ethan's house and then exited out of Southern Maryland to avoid DC traffic. The trip back to Georgia was long and Guido and I were both grumpy. But we made it home in 13 hours.

We made it home in time for the Gonzalez Crew to arrive at our home in Georgia to celebrate Christmas. I had just enough time to change the sheets and clean the toilet when I heard the front door bell ring and enter Nana & Papa, Ti ti Jenny, and Bis-Abuela along with two small dogs, Hershey & Zoe. Their visit was short, just 2 days. We exchanged gifts and I cooked for 2 days straight making family favorites like Puerto Rican red beans and rice. Bis-Abuela complemented me on the beans which I accepted with great honor. We loved every minute we spent with the family and Veronica was in tears to see them leave.

Tonight is New Year's Eve. Guido is working this afternoon and doing Evening Prayer at church. But once he returns home we are going to sit by the fireplace and sip our favorite wine and drown in each other's eyes until the New Year strikes hello. And then we'll slip into bed and kiss our way to sleep.