Three Hergs, One Adventure: Kinfolk and Christmas(es)

All the babies love uncle Square Bear

When it comes to family, we pretty much won the lottery. We have families who love us, make us laugh, cheer us on when we're up, and support us when we're down. The toughest part about living in Altus (aside from all the other tough things that are fun to whine and complain about) is being away from family. This is why, when we have the opportunity to go home, we love to maximize our time with our clans. This brings me to another reason why Eric and I are so fortunate when it comes to family: our families genuinely like one another. They have each other over for dinners and invite each other to join in on celebrations of milestones and the like. Both mine and Eric's parents open their hearts and homes to us, to each other, and to friends each time we come to town. It feels like one long party every time we are home.

You know your family is cool when they are willing to move around holiday celebrations in order to accommodate your schedule. For example, just this year, we celebrated two early Thanksgivings (one at Eric's mom & dad's house, which my family attended and one at my mom & dad's house, which Eric's family attended) and two early Christmases. In fact, by the time the actual dates of Thanksgiving and Christmas arrived, I felt like it was already February.

Playing peek-a-boo!

The first Christmas celebration was one that Eric's parents had planned to take place during the weekend that Eric and I came to Maryland for a wedding. On Sunday morning, we exchanged presents by the Christmas tree with Lourdes, Jerry, Jacqueline, Tim, and Caitlin. Eric and I were delighted to find that Santa had even paid an early visit to fill our stockings.

Later that afternoon, my parents were invited to come over to watch the Ravens game with us and enjoy dinner. We shared a delicious meal and were endlessly delighted by all of Caitlin's cuteness. It was a wonderful day and we had much to be thankful for. To all be together. To all have our health. For Jacqueline passing the CPA exam. And for the Ravens beating the Colts (though that would have been more impressive last year).

The second Christmas celebration took place a couple of days before Christmas when Eric's sister, Kelly, arrived in Maryland with Mia and Mason in tow. Unfortunately, Eric had already returned to Altus by that point so he did not get to see them, but Kelly and I decided to get together to visit and exchange gifts in person (more fun that way). Once again, Jerry and Lourdes prepared a delicious meal and I was fortunate to be able to spend another evening with Eric's family. There are three grandchildren now so time together has turned into a really fun game of pass the baby. Mia is adorable to watch with the babies, too. She loves to hold them and play with them and is really helpful with taking care of them. She is clearly a great big sister to Mason and couldn't seem to get enough of Caitlin either. It was so much fun to watch the three of them together.

Caitlin & Mia go tubing

*eek* so many cheeks to pinch!

Lou Lou and her grandbabies

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer

We celebrated Christmas Day in Altus with my parents and sister. On Christmas morning, we got up, exchanged gifts and enjoyed a big Persian breakfast (the contents of which had traveled across country with us). An exercise of true determination.

We spent the rest of the day preparing a huge Christmas dinner. Eric made the turkey, stuffing and green beans, I mashed the potatoes, and Gila made fresh apple cobbler for dessert. Yum, yum, and yum! Our friends Sarah and Joe (who work with Eric) and Gila's long-time best bud, Shannon (who lives in Texas) joined us for dinner. We spent a large portion of the night reading from my favorite book about Altus called, Altus as I Remember. That book will make you laugh until you cry (or cry until you laugh if you are the one who actually lives here...).