Wow, I was just sitting here thinking, even though the new year has arrived, and we’re already 5 days in, that time seems to be going by slowly lately. Then Iooked at my last blog post and its been 2.5 weeks. Its as if time continues on whether I’m paying attention or not. Wait, then that would mean the world does NOT revolve around me? No, I don’t think I like this new revelation.
So, what exactly has happened in the last couple of weeks? Well, there was that Christmas thing. We kicked off the holidays with a party at our house on the 16th, coincidentally the same day as my last post. It was fairly small, but alot of fun, just the right people were there. Alot of our old/dear friends, and some new ones. Everyone got just drunk enough i.e., no puking 😉 A fair amount of flip-cup was played, and everyone got home safely. Our favorite holiday guests arrived the next day. Cam and Sean got here Sat. afternoon and that’s when we knew the holidays had officially arrived. We have such a blast when they’re here. Tons of great food (not great for us). Good movies, tons of laughs and seemingly endless amazing drinks (for those of you that don’t know, Cam is a bartender at Aiko in Atlanta.
Christmas Eve we went to our friends Byron & Cheryl’s house for dinner and more drinks. Before the trip, Paige, Sean and I partook in a bit of a certain mind altering substance to help lighten the mood even more (Cheryl’s in-laws were scheduled to be there). Needless to say, we had a great time, food was tremendous… 😉
Christmas day is all but written in stone at the Rice house. We’re awoken by the kids cheers of joy from all the Santa gifts under the tree that weren’t there the night before. Someone makes coffee, the kids open their gifts from Santa, Mom and Dad, and Cam and Sean. The adults save their gifts for later that night. We then all get ready take some gifts and food to “Big Mama’s” house (an hour up the road to Forest City). Big Mama is Paige and Cam’s grandmother on their dad’s side. Not to be confused by Martin Lawrence’s Big Mama. Paige’s Big Mama is the exact opposite, a sweet, tall, thin lady, who got her moniker from being the neighborhood grandma. Beyond all of the grandkids of her own, she always had a house full of kids from around the neighborhood. We spent a few hours there, ate too much (no drinking at Big Mama’s house), opened a few more gifts, then finally pack up to head home. After we get home, we get the kids settled in bed, clean up a bit from the mornings activities, make a snack (turkey sandwiches and such), get in our jammies and crack a few beers, or holiday punch, and get to the adult gift exchange.
Sadly Cam and Sean have to head back to work the next afternoon, Paige and I use the weekend to recover and try to get ready for the week to come. Payton still being out of school requires me to “work from home” a couple days. Some work gets done, but mostly seeing some creation Payton has come up with while trying her best to entertain herself.
New Years rolls around, back to Byron and Cheryl’s. This time, joined by Paul and Ellie. 3 words. SO MUCH FUN! More great drinks, great food, and Partini!!! The ball drops, champagne toast, kisses to the loved one(s). Home to bed. Slept all but a few hours of the next day. Having kids old enough to entertain themselves 90% of the day is amazing. I never thought the day would come. To top off the festivities, to Paul and Ellie’s after church Sunday afternoon to watch their beloved Eagles take on the Vikings in Wild Card game of the playoffs. Great Chili Ellie. Love ya!
That’s about the extent of it. In short, lots of eating, lots of drinking, a pill here, a toke there. We all survived. Here’s to a 2009 filled with many more days and nights of fun with our best of friends. Love you all and Happy New Year!
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