Christmas for my family has always been just a quiet time to ourselves. Back in Jersey, for the Christmases that I can remember, it was really just spent between the four of us - mom, dad, chris and me. Tradition had us waking up somewhere between dawn and 7am to go downstairs to the tree to open gifts. We'd usually do Mass later on during the day. In the afternoon or the next day we'd drive to the relatives' houses for visiting - usually the trek was to North Jersey (Elizabeth & Monroe Township) from South Jersey, along the Turnpike, or more recenlty, from Maryland to North Jersey.
The last couple years have been different...I've been working and haven't made it up to North Jersey in a long time. I've been working over the holidays, and getting time off just wasn't possible.
So it's been a really happy time here now, with a few additions to the family for Christmas. My grandmother came down yesterday with my father from Monroe Township. We had dinner tonight with my uncle and my cousin, whom I haven't seen in close to six years. I think the dinner tonight really made the holiday something special...it's just really good to see family again.
I won't be able to make it up to Jersey with the family though; I'm working again. So far, so good...it was incredibly weird going back, and having to relearn my job again since the takeover earlier this year. It's for the better - there appear to be a lot of improvements, but its still hard...my old (and not so great) habits are dying hard there...
My sister just got a puppy as well. The darn thing's been running around the house chewing on everything including my socks and the legs of my pants. The dog is the hardest part of taking this Christmas. I'm just so ingrained to not having it around that its presence is just annoying. I thought my family was complete with just the four of us...this little four legged runt is now being forced in. I haven't seen my sister this happy in a long time though; and the stupid thing is really, really cute. I haven't completely made up my mind yet.
That's what's happening here...I'm off to bed now, Have a Merry Christmas all!