Survived & Enjoyed Holiday Marathon

First of all, we hope you had a very Merry Christmas & we extend our Best Wishes for the New Year!

I don't know about everyone else, but I am beginning to think of December in terms of an enjoyable marathon. Wait, is that an oxymoron?!? Never, mind. Anyway, I think that because for me it is an enjoyable test of endurance. (Yes, I may have massochistic tendencies.) There is so much to do-- old traditions to uphold, new ones I want to begin, and everything else that comes along... in what does not seem to be nearly enough time.

Anyway, traditionally, in my family, the Christmas holidays have always begun the day after Thanksgiving. That's when the decorations begin to appear. The rest of the time before December 24th is hectic with shopping, recitals, parties, more shopping, school, musical & sports practices, work, cooking, church, nativity plays, concerts, etc.... This year was no different. It is always amusing to me when I hear how other people celebrate the holidays. We are all creatures of habit and some of our habits are really traditions that have been handed down from generation to generation. I apologize for this longer-than-usual entry, but I want my kids to know what traditions are old, and which are new today so they may reflect on what has been added/deleted in years to come.

Though some things vary from year to year, this is what a typical December looks like for us:

As early as I can get to it in December- Take kids to mall to wait in a ridiculously long line to have their picture taken with Santa. My kids have had their picture taken in the Woodlands Mall with the SAME santa since Katja was born, sniff, sniff. I use the pictures now as Christmas decorations and get misty eyed each year as I unwrap one more frame to display. As a kid we looked forward to this each year with much excitement. Of course, back then, Santa could only be found at Sears in the mall and they sold popcorn nearby in the department store so I have always associated the smell of popcorn not only with movies, but also with Santa Claus. Weird, eh?

Before school let's out in December - Katja & Robbie have their annual holiday piano recital. Katja also has her school orchestra concert to attend. Both usually on a week night, sighh....

December 24th - A.M. - Brunch at my brother Robert's house in Houston. This was a first this year, but so yummy and fun that we hope it becomes tradition! Robert & his family were not able to join us for Christmas Eve dinner due to a trip to Colorado, so he hosted a get-together for us exchange best wishes for the holidays, etc....

Chef Robert. Actually, Robert is an excellent cook. If he weren't such a successful lawyer, he would probably own his own restaurant somewhere.

Brunch was not only delicious, but also casual & relaxed. We seemed to have eaten in shifts while the kids played with their gifts. The mimosas with cointreau were my favorite! Mmm...

Cousin Zeke (Robert's youngest) is MAJORLY into dinosaurs. His favorite gift was a Magnetix Sabertooth Tiger. Older brother Baz prefered his race car driver's helmet and steering wheel.

December 24th - P.M. - Children's Christmas mass at 4:00 p.m. To get a seat one must arrive at least one hour early. We began going to this mass rather than midnight mass when I had the first of the family's grandchildren....

Katja cantored (led the congregation in song)the children's Christmas mass three years in a row at St. Anthony's while Robbie sang in the choir and Jeff was one of the musicians accompanying the choir.

December 24th - After mass. Christmas Eve dinner. This is usually hosted in a different house each year. However, since Kerrie and Paco don't like to cook they have offered to host for the past two. The rest of us love to cook, but hate to clean up afterwards so we bring the food to their house, they clean up and everyone is happy. After dinner, we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

Aunt Michelle got the cake this year and forgot to ask for the writing...so we carved out "Happy Birthday Jesus" with a knife. :) Hey, it's the thought that counts.

Then, we exchange gifts. This ritual is usually a lot of fun. We begin by opening gifts in an orderly manner, but digress quickly. Did I mention this part was fun? We have learned to wait until the end of the gift exchange to give the men/boys any "toys" we have purchased them as we tend to lose their attention at that point as they (Paco, Robert Jr. & dad/not Robbie & Jack) become engrossed chasing each other with toys guns, or racing micro-copters, etc.... through the house. If the house is equipped with a piano/keyboard we sing Christmas carols as Katja and/or Jeff play and Papa leads the singing...even if he doesn't quite know all the words ;). Then, with full bellies and happy hearts we all go to our houses to await the arrival of jolly ole' Saint Nick.

Cousin Jayce LOVED his new chainsaw.

Go ahead, make your own caption for this one...one is hardly able to resist!

Paco, Papa, and Robbie's favorite gift was tickets to go see the Houston Texans take on the Chicago Bears. They began their tailgating plans immediately.

LATE, December 24th - We all change into our Christmas PJ's. Yes, we ALL get new P.J.'s for Christmas. This goes back to my childhood days! The children go to their beds without protest. YES, they DO! ;) The adults stay up late cleaning up, etc., etc., etc.....

This picture was NOT taken on Christmas Eve, but all the kids were in their Christmas p.j.'s so I thought I'd include it.

TOO DARN EARLY, December 25th - The kids come and wake up the adults to inform us that it is Christmas morning and that they would like to see if Santa has come. It still baffles my mind that they patiently wait sitting at the top of the stairs until the adults roll out of bed, get the myriad of cameras (not to mention the much needed coffee) ready before they walk down to check out what Santa has brought them. I guess I've trained them well. This tradition only goes back to my children's births since there is NO WAY Paco, Michelle, Robert, and I would have asked for permission or waited for anyone before dashing for the Christmas loot!

Katja, Robbie, & Jack patiently wait at the top of the stairs until I give them the OK to come down and check out to see if Santa visited.

After opening gifts, December 25th - We play with the toys, take pictures, eat breakfast, and sip enormous quantities of coffee while wearing our jammies. This year we even rode our new bikes outside in our p.j.'s.

The rest of the day, December 25th - I cook all day, way more food than is necessary. Pernil (Puertorrican pork roast) is always on the menu along with other side-dishes from my childhood. Family drops in unannounced all day to hang out, eat, and share the day. This is a laid back day for us. No formality and no fuss, just relaxed fun.

December 31st - Annual Family Pig Roast. This is a tradition that dates back to my childhood in Puerto Rico, dissappeared for years after we moved to the states, and my mom and I ressurrected shortly after Robbie's birth... about nine years ago. We basically roast a pig rotisserie style, turned by hand. It takes all day to do so. We snack on appetizers and drink our favorite beverages all day long. Lately, the party has moved to my sister Michelle and her husband Chris' property (behind their western wear store) in Magnolia. They have a climate controlled event hall which they rent for parties and receptions, so we all bring our inflatable mattresses and crash there for the night after ringing in the new year.

Katja & I made sure to take a shift turning the pig since it is a prerequisite for getting to eat it!

We forgot to take the "Family with Pig" portrait this year, so here is last December's (2007, a year ago.) Yes, we even make sweatshirts to mark the occassion.

Now that Katja and Robbie are old enough to help take down the holiday decorations, I think a new tradition is in order.....