Christmas Past

Remembering what Christmas use to be like when I was little puts me in the spirit a little bit more today.

Our house use to be busting with family, moms side and dads side. Aunts, Uncles, and tons of cousins. The door was like a never ending turn stile. The basement was packed with people we loved, packed with warmth and so much noise. The kitchen was filled with food, ham and 2 turkeys (when we were really little). The night went on forever.

Christmas Eve Mass 1998

In the last couple years, it has changed a lot. Less people, less food, less work. Which has made the holidays more relaxing to some extent. The basement isn't as loud anymore, and now the party is in the garage. The dynamics have changed, no more little kids running wild, just us big kids.

When Uncle David was in town for Christmas, things were so special. We had potato peeling contests, and stayed up late/got up really early to watch Christmas movies when we were too excited to sleep. It was fun to have the family all together. The visits would go on all week, one
week in particular it consisted of pizza for dinner almost every night and leftovers.

Christmas Cookie Decorating with Jacob
2001
(The last time we celebrated Christmas with Uncle David)

There was so much magic in just having all my family here. There was something special about eating breakfast, and showering fast so we could watch our new movies. There was the times when Santa's footprints were all we could talk to our family about and made our dad save them until our cousins came.

Plumbrook Christmas Party 1999

Now the magic is still there and the family is still there, but there is something different. We've gotten older and things have changed. It doesn't change why we celebrate but it changes how we celebrate. It's a little more low-key and a lot less stress on my mom and grandma knowing that we can help with a lot more cooking and cleaning.

One thing is for sure, the magic that is seen at mass tonight is my favorite part of the Christmas season. Children's mass will always be fun no matter how old I get, it will be different no Fr. Doc or Fr. Jerry to tell the story but the story is still the same. Jesus has arrived.

Me and Kyle Christmas 2010
My favorite Christmas picture!