Gullickson's: Happy Holidays Everyone...

Hoping you all had a wonderful Christmas. This year was so much fun with the kids...Quinn has been excited for months, and had been helping Keira catch on. So having them both "get it" was delightful. Christmas Eve, we met Bill and Kathy at church, and then headed back here for dinner. Being that it is just them and us at Christmas time, it is so nice that they pack a bag and spend the night here. The kiddies ate and got to open some Christmas Eve presents. They were thrilled with new pj's and loved their robes :) Aunt Patty and Aunt Annie sent along gifts too - sweatshirts, boots, dresses etc. --- and a few fun toys from Gram and Gramp were really enjoyed by them - sleds, ball game, TV dance... I'm sure I'm forgetting things!

After the little ones finally got into bed, the adults had fun prepping for the next day! Charging batteries, wrapping last gifts, and setting them under the tree...so much fun. We've also gotten smart over the last few years, and wait to eat ourselves until after the kids are in bed! Kathy made a great New England Clam Chowder - so we nibbled on that and veggies to hold us over. Later Billy steamed up some giant, i mean giant Crab legs....hmmmm.....so delish. We all got so full, we didn't bother with the shrimp! Blending your tradtions can sometimes be a bit of a task ---- but it's been relatively easy for Billy and I. Christmas Eve for him generally meant lots of finger foods - a light fare. For me, Christmas Eve dinner was probably the most traditional --- and laborious too! Many Italians eat the meal of "7 fishes" Christmas Eve --- and back years, and years ago -- it followed with Mid-night mass, and then another round of food - primarily Sicilian Sausage cooked at 1 am! Now remember this was a large gathering of people! So, since we've been married we've tried to blend the two. We do still keep it more app's and finger foods Christmas Eve --- but have incorporated the seafood aspect I grew up with. We love it, and both really feel great about keeping it meaningful to us both. :)

Christmas Day didn't start as early as we feared LOL!!! The kids actually didn't wake us until 7:45 am --- and surprisingly didn't head straight to tearing presents either! I was even able to make coffee prior to starting! Keira kind of took it all in, trying to figure it all out. Quinn headed straight for the tree and giggled with delight at the sight of presents, and a note from Santa! Big smiles all around - and the kids really enjoyed themselves. After Quinn and Keira ate, they snuggled in the den and watched Tinker Bell together - while we got to eat our Christmas Dinner --- Prime Rib, mashed pot's, aspargus & fresh bread from the breadmaker. Some cheesecake and cookies wrapped up the day.

A bit later I got a call from my Dad saying that he had just been informed that a delivery would arrive to us the next day b/w 9-12. No other hints :) So you can imagine our surprise when the doorbell rang at 10 - and we expected our local UPS driver - only to find Debbie and my Dad on the other side!!!! Surprised is an understatement....we all were very happy, and I joined in on the giggles and hugs as our extra holiday gift visit arrived. It's hard for both Billy and I to not be with all of our family on the holidays - we're so thankful that we have Bill and Kathy here.

Ok - enough of the details, here's some pictures.... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

*Quinn's first look at the tree...