Christmas Weekend Recap

I had full intentions of getting this post up yesterday, but that just didn't happen. I got all the pictures uploaded and then realized that I did not feel like writing anything. So, I didn't.


This past weekend, we celebrated Christmas with my hubby's family. The events were set to begin on Friday night but because of a snow storm in the FD's hometown, more than half of the family was unable to make it. So, we rearranged some of our plans for Saturday to include Friday night's scheduled activities. Then we went to the FD's aunts house, had pizza and wings and watched Home Alone (best Christmas movie, EVER) with the few family members who were able to make it.

Later that evening, Evan's oldest sister and her family arrived. I was so excited to finally meet Baby C after not being able to see him because of the flu in November.

He is so cute, I just love him to pieces!

On Saturday morning, the family who couldn't make it on Friday night, got up nice and early in order to arrive around 10 am. His immediate family and grandparents all came to our place to enjoy a brunch of breakfast casserole, fruit salad, muffins and yogurt.

Then we opened presents!

I got a sweet new slowcooker. It's a bit bigger than my old one and it has a stoneware insert that can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the slow cooker! Hello One Pot Meals! I also got two really great stockpots so my salsa and other preserves won't be burnt next year.

After pressys, we headed Caley's church where we were holding the rest of the activities with the extended family. I believe there was something like 29 of us this year! We had some lunch, enjoyed visiting with each other, played games, took an updated family photo and then had our gift exchange. I may have mentioned before that for this year's name draw, we decided to do all homemade gifts. It turned out very well. There is some mad talent in this family. We had everything from baked goods, to preserves, to knitting, to quilting, to woodworking, to scrapbooking and jewelry making! All of the gifts were so thoughtful and well put together.

I drew the FD's aunt and made her a "Basket of Love from Lucy's Kitchen". Included was a jar of Love Soup, a jar of pickles, apple butter, beets, a hot chocolate mix inside a collage mug with pictures from her trip to Alaska, some Christmas-y tea towels and coupon book for one baked good each month for 2010.

The FD drew Caley's finance, Craig's, name and built him this sweet potato and onion bin. If I didn't already have one, I might have kept it for myself!

Evan's cousin R had his name and made him a super sweet scrapbook documenting some of their favourite memories from growing up. It is definitely something to be cherished. His uncle had my name and built me this amazingly awesome window frame! I know the picture sucks. I will take another one once I get it hung up.

After the gits were done, we got to work getting dinner ready. What a feast! Turkey, prime rib, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, corn, beets, pickles, rolls, salad and tortiere! I don't think I have to tell you that I was stuffed. Here are the lead chefs for the evening...

The FD cooked a delicious Prime Rib on the rotisserie

Aunt Marcia has nice buns!

Aunt Linda did such a great job at organizing everything!

After the meal, we had dessert. Can you believe we stuffed even more in there? There were pies, goodies and The FD's famous crepes! Delicious.

Here are a few more photos from the day...

On Sunday, we all went to church together and then headed back to M&L's for a second go at the food. We said our goodbyes, everyone headed home and we promptly crashed on the couch to watch Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and have a nap!