Chrismakkah 2005

Yeah, so The O.C. has nothing on us. Diane is Russian Jew, so we celebrate Hannakuh, and we're Christians, so we celebrate Christmas (just in case you haven't read previous posts). Our decorations are white and blue (for Hannakuh) and we have a Christmas Tree. It's fun. We of course did the family traditions too, this being the first time for our new little family. My extended family on my mom's side all lives in the general area, and we got together at my cousin Jason's house (pics of that soon to come...I forgot the camera...come on Sharon, you're all I've got!) for eating, blind gift exchange, and hang time. I'm notoriously lazy, and tend to not stay in contact with all of my cousins, aunts and uncles, and even grandma. It's too bad, 'cause Diane and I really like hanging with 'em all. Maybe this will be the year to remedy that. Anyways, it was cool, and we got a cool fuzzy blanket that my cousin Cindy made. It's really warm, and matches my orange chair...so of course the girls get it.
We picked up Michaela from the airport last night at about 11:30pm with her bag o' loot from her dad's in California. This morning we drove over to Mom and Dad's for butterhorns and immediate family exchange. Good times. Roan was a happy little camper, Cole flirted with Michaela. Hopefully the folks will start their own blog with the digital camera we got them. We packed up Hannah's unopened gifts and headed home to be there when she got home from her dad's. We did the real-close-immediate family gift exchange and soon had a very Lucy-ish Hannah clad in official Narnia garb. I was stabbed and healed several times. Diane started dinner and I put together Gluwein (hot spiced red wine), and the house began to smell of wonderfull things to come.
Diane is incredible at setting up a dinner party, and the meal was excellent. Grandma & Lad, Mom & Dad, and Kathi came to join Diane, Michaela, Hannah and I for dinner, and some late night Dradle games. Mom ended up winning in the end, but not until the rest of us broke into the bank after Hannah won every single spin in like 10 minutes. Michaela read Hannakuh prayers, and Hannah lit the first candle. 7 more days, and 7 more presents to open...it's not over yet! Much later Grandma and Lad headed home, and Mom wanted to watch The Polar Express, so we huddled down for a couple of hours and let dinner (and apple crisp) digest. Everyone headed home soon after, and the big Clean Up began, starting with setting the coffeepot for the morning (otherwise I'd never get up!). A few hours later, Hannah in bed (no sword), Michaela getting settled back in, Diane finishing the dishes, I came down and wrote this blog.

The End.

Until tomorrow.