Merry Christmas 2009!

Up until Christmas Eve, I’ve been busy baking all week. I lost track of how many batches of fudge I cranked out, but let’s just say I could have opened my own fudge shop, hah! Joshua was nice enough to help me bake the last batch so I could take a shower before heading up for Christmas Eve activities.

We went over to Joshua’s parents shop so we could exchange gifts. Joshua’s folks got us super nice bathrobes, and we got camping gear from his grandparents plus some baked goods.

Amber met up with us there and shortly after we headed on over to church for Christmas Eve service with Joshua’s adopted family. This year was the very first year I “broke tradition” on Christmas Eve – normally I go to my local Catholic church with my family and we got out for either Mexican or pizza afterwards. This year I was able to go to service at what I consider to be my church with Joshua and my future in-laws.

After service we went over to a family friend’s house for a Christmas Eve fondue party! It was so much fun! I made pesto fondue, while the hosting family made a ton of other cheese fondue, dips, and even dessert fondue. Joshua’s step-mom made a ton of different homemade bread pieces to dip and there were all kinds of different Dijon mustard dips. We had a wide variety of fruit and plenty of chocolate for dessert dipping as well.

By the time Joshua and I got home it was close to 11:30pm. I tried to get a head start on baking and made my cupcakes. By the time all was said and done, it was a little after midnight on Christmas. Joshua and I decided to open up our presents from each other since we would have to get an early start that day anyway. Joshua got me the Nikon 55-200mm VR lens, and for him I got him a Fujifilm J38 digital camera and Jawbone bluetooth headset.

We went to bed at 1am and woke up at 7:30am. We had just enough time to get our morning coffee, get dressed, and pick up Amber so we could be at Joshua’s adopted family’s house at 9am for present-opening! We arrived just in time for homemade cinnamon rolls and hot coffee!

Because Joshua’s family is so big they do a brother/sister gift exchange in which we’re in charge of shopping for one person. Cedar had me and he got me my very own fold-up camping chair; my old one that belonged to my grandma broke two family vacations ago. Joshua’s parents started a new tradition this year since there are three engaged couples. They gave us a “Date Night” box. Inside included a giftcard to Joe’s Crab Shack, a Joe’s Crab Shack t-shirt for each of us, and a giftcard to RPM (where Joshua wants to have his bachelor’s party as well).

The entire family (myself, Amber, and Amanda included) got the official notice for 2010’s summer family vacation: we’re going to the KOA campsite in Bandon/Port Oregon. In addition to this we all got a $60 gift certificate to go towards an ATV ride on the Oregon Dunes. Luckily enough this trip falls during my 3 week break in the summer so it works out perfectly!

After we opened presents we eagerly awaited Christmas brunch. Baby Renee got an outdoor swing so we all hung out on the swingset for awhile.

We had a delicious brunch around 11:30am that consisted of honey baked ham, salad, croissant rolls, quiche, fresh fruit, baked potatoes, and fresh orange juice. We all took pictures and sent them to Bobby who spent his first Christmas overseas as he is currently fighting in Afghanistan.

Joshua and I were in a hurry to get home since I had to prepare Christmas dinner for my family. While working on the roast, Amanda, Stephen, Baby Renee, Robert, and Chris dropped by for a visit. My sister came over bringing her Wii* so everyone was playing that throughout the afternoon. After they left my uncle and cousins came over and everyone played with the Wii while I continued cooking in the kitchen.

We had a delicious Christmas dinner which included rib roast (I made it all by myself and it turned out perfectly! Yay!), green beans (sauteed in garlic, EVOO, and shallots), spinach (made by my dad), mashed potatoes, and crescent rolls.

For dessert I had a Chrismas Dessert Bar with cupcakes, fudge, and cookies. We played with the Wii some more and then opened presents. Joshua’s dad and step-mom stopped by to wish us a Merry Christmas as well.

Overall I had an awesome Christmas, probably the best one yet since it was filled with good food, good family, and good gifts! I got everything I wanted plus more.

• Nikon 55-200mm lens
• 160GB iPod classic
• Fold-up camping chair
• Old Navy Slipper boots
• $30 giftcard to American Eagle
• $50 giftcard to Joe’s Crab Shack
• $70 in giftcards to Chili’s
• 4 race passes to RPM
• Misc. jewelery from The Icing
• The Nest Home Design Handbook
• Clone Wars Anakin Skywalker Pez
• Clone Wars Padme Amidala figurine
• 1lb. bag of Twizzlers
• Dr. Pepper Jelly Belly jelly beans
• Burt’s Bees Chapstick
• Barbie Generations of Dreams doll
• Superstarr Barbie 50th Anniversary keychain
• Fuzzy socks from Bath & Body Works
• “Welcome Friends” cat sign
• Sapphire Pendant necklace
• Personalized engagement ornament

*Funny story about the Wii my sister got for Christmas. My sis was hoping my dad would get it for her, but was a lil bummed out when she saw a tiny box under the tree as the only thing from my dad to her. Inside was a clue which sent her on a scavenger hunt and ended in the trunk of her car where the Wii was hiding in a Boudin’s bag. Apparently my sis has been driving around the last couple of days with her Christmas present in the back of her own car, hehe!