Christmas Eve

I got up at 5 am, worked 7 am to 4 pm, and after showering and wrapping the last few presents for my family, headed over to my parents' house for Christmas Eve dinner and the exchange of gifts.

Ma had made a small roast beef and a big ham, plus gravy and a big spread of chips, dips, fruits and vegetables. Sarah brought scallops wrapped in bacon and a variety of cookies and brownies she'd spent the day making. Dinner was a feast!

When it was time to exchange gifts, I am pleased to report that all of mine went over well with the recipients. Jared & Drew tore into their Lego sets immediately after all was done. Sarah & Jon were thrilled with their Gibbett Hill Grill gift certificate. Dad thought the chiller cubes (to keep the ice coffee cold, but not watered down) were a cool idea. And Kevin practically drooled over the 3 steaks I'd wrapped with his electric grill brush. Hayden's binoculars and Celia's canvases (and the twins' "Oz" graphic novel hardcovers) were received happily as well.

On my end, I received the following amazing gifts:

• a $30 gift card to Amazon from J & Stacie.
• a $50 gift card to Amazon from Dad & Ma.
• 3 bags of coffee (see photo) from Dad & Ma.
• a $30 gift card to Best Buy from Sarah & Jon.
• a $30 gift card to The 99 from Kevin & Holly.
• 3 pure 1 oz. bars of silver from my dad (to go with the one he gave all four kids decades ago).
• A book of Sting's lyrics from his Police and solo careers from Ma.
• A few candle holders and a bunch of Yankee Candle 'Fireside' tea lights.
• And amazingly, from Dad, an author's library edition of Mark Twain's "A Tramp Abroad" - signed by the author! How cool is that?

It was a great family evening of food and fun, and as always, over far too soon...