Christmas, The Trilogy...and The Epiphany, 5th Edition

January is almost over. My goal was to post about December 25th by January 25th. Phew.
Christmas celebrations come at us three different times followed by our traditional Pizza and Epiphany celebration.

Weeks before Christmas, my side of the family typically celebrates on the Feast of St. Nicholas. As the kids have gotten older and calendar a bit more complicated, our celebration doesn't always happen on Dec. 6th but relatively close to it. Relatively, meaning Dec. 20th. It's all relative.

We always read the story of St. Nick, dine on a delicious meal prepared by my dad of crab legs and prime rib. We always have a rice crispy wreath for dessert, topped with cinnamon candy. The kids open gifts, we open our stockings and occasionally a dance party or football game erupts.

Several days later, we celebrate again, beginning with Christmas Eve Mass and a night of family, festivities, fireworks (or this year, lanterns) and Christmas lights.

Boys and their Vans headed to Mass.

Every year the kids perform the Nativity. As the kids age, the roles get switched to accommodate their ages. For KK, her role was switched to an audience member and she was relieved to hear so.

After dinner and the Nativity, the Papa's hand out the Christmas PJ's.

The kids do a board game/sports related themed gift exchange.

The adults do not.

In the past, Uncle N has put on stellar fireworks shows for us, this year it was lanterns that he sent off. After that, we all piled into the back of this trailer which was rigged with Christmas music, a disco light, warm blankets and a cooler. He then took everyone through the neighborhood to see the Christmas lights. My in-laws neighborhood has quite a spectacular cul-de-sac that is worth visiting several times throughout the season. After that, the parents are pushing to get over-excited kids home to bed so they can perform their duties.

Christmas morning, we were woken by J at 7:45. He'd been up since 5:30 and very excited. I was less than pleased with having to wake the kiddos. Excitement rose, gifts were opened and a mess was made.  After we five open gifts, my side of the family joins us for breakfast, toy sampling and Elf.

From our house, we head back over to my in-laws for gift opening and the annual Polar Plunge.

These bundled up spectators are the smarter of the group, I'd say.

In early January, we celebrate the Epiphany with our friends and celebrate with pizza, cocktails and the kiddos do a gift exchange. It's a fun tradition that rounds out our holiday celebrating.

B had heard me say early in December that I wanted to complete decorating the wall above our bed as one of J's gifts. I'd ordered new pictures and made a few purchases, however, he'd spent time making this gingerbread banner and figure and was so excited to place it on our wall, my gift will wait. In fact, the gingerbread's are still in place. It's one of my favorite Christmas moments, along with receiving a hand-written letter hidden under my pillow and hearing, "Mom, this was the best Christmas ever. Thank you."