Traditions-just a little late

I was trying to come up with some of our families traditions. One is I always buy PJ's that the kids get to open on Christmas Eve to wear to bed. My oldest gave me a look this year but let me tell you she was the first to ask why we didn't have their Christmas Eve presents under the tree. Ok, so they were in the basement!



Next would have to be wrapping presents until 2am and making Christmas Cassarole. Yummmmy! This is the egg, bread, cheese, sausage mixed together the night before and left in the refridge. As we walk out the door for Mass, John pours a cream of mushroom soup over the top. It might sound yucky and it doesn't look the greatest but I don't know what I would do with out Christmas Cassarole in the morning.

Yesterday my hubby and I came to the conclusion that our oven only cooks at 450 degrees. So I was a little upset that we didn't take care of this before Christmas eve but I needed an oven that only cooks at 300 degrees while we are at Mass. We called our appliance repair man and he said it would be almost as cheap to go buy a new oven as it is to fix it! With that said John ran out the door, ok I might have pushed him, to go buy a new oven to cook the Christmas Cassarole in the morning!

Here it is Christmas Cassorole.



But this is the tradition I enjoy the most! YUMMMMY!

Of course the tradition of spending the afternoon with family is great. This year by the time afternoon came I was too tired to blow off my nap before work and sent my family to my sister's for dinner. They had a fabulous time, as always!



It looks like I missed the fun!

Family and Friends at Christmas Time

I hate Christmas! Don't get me wrong, I am thankful that Jesus was born! I believe in God and love to celebrate his birth. I hate how Christmas has turned into a gift giving tradition. This year I have to work on Christmas. I work night shift so it isn't such a big deal because by the time I go to work, Mass is over, gifts are opened, and dinner has been eaten.

This year I will be eating dinner at my oldest sisters house. She is great! Every holiday she sends and invitation in the mail to invite my whole family over for dinner. She is the Family organizer for the holidays! It is mostly my brother in laws side of the family but I have grown to enjoy all of their company. I think that is what all of the holidays are about. Celebrating Life!

I don't know why when it comes to my husbands side of the family I feel a disconnect. I feel like they could care a less if we ever saw them again. Not Papa he loves us and the kids (even if they are to LOUD). My FIL moved in with his girlfriend this past year and the condo is much smaller than the old house he lived in. So to have all of us over it gets a little tight. The trip to visit is definitely an overnight stay and that means a hotel. Which means 100$ at least extra added on to eating out meals, presents for everyone and gas to get there. It is a struggle for us to pick a day and meet. I took off a Sunday (not easy in my racket) so we could go down and have dinner w/ the in laws. But now one sisters family can't make it. So now it is pizza on Monday night but now the other sister can't make it. My kids haven't seen one of the aunts since last Christmas and I think if it can happend then lets do it! The hurt feelings come out! I feel like I have to play the peacemaker. I don't get it! Why can't we all just get along!

I was FB one of my sisters (I have 6 all together) who lives about 1.5 hours from Papa's new pad and she was more than welcoming about staying at her house. That is what is cool about my family. No one has to impress anyone. Come if you can and if not that's ok too. Bring a sleeping bag, pillow and pitch in as you can! No one expects me to bring them a Christmas present they only expect my company! and my loud kids company!

I love my family! Even if I don't see them as much as I would like. When I do see them it is like we just saw each other yesterday! Nothing is uncomfortable, demanding or any hard feelings about anything from the past. It is like visiting an old friend you haven't see for a while, they always love you unconditionally. (Yes, Shelly that comment is for you!)

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a fresh start to the New Year!

The Christmas tree story

This year I was talking with a person at work about how our family was going to go chop down the Christmas tree. She said you need to go try out this Christmas tree farm about 35 minutes from my house. She was so excited and said they had horse drawn carriages, hot chocolate, and a fire pit. Well we always go to the same tree farm every year. It has a tractor drawn carriage, they might have hot chocolate but we alway stop at a McDonald and buy hot chocolate on the way home. This friend was so excited that I talked my husband and family into trying out the new tree farm. Well when we got there and the novelty wore off.


The kids said Mom all of the trees are 4 feet high and as big around as Christine (she is not big). I was SERIOUSLY disappointed. Horse drawn carriage or not!


The next day we got up and went to 8:30 mass then off to Hart Tree Farm in Rockford. This is the tree farm we always go to! I decided I will never be mislead to try a different tree farm again, hot chocolate or not!



The perfect tree!
How could I not get a picture of that!



My muscle man!



Lights, camera and ready for presents!

Merry Christmas to all!

I take it back!

I woke up wanting to strangle my husband who is the greatest husband ever, and the love of my life and someone I don't know what I would do without. OK, pick yourself up off the floor! I am taking back the previous post because while I was in the shower this a.m. he cooked me breakfast (ok, a bagel and coffee) and went outside in this 20 degree weather and started my car to warm it up! Yes, that did put a smile on my face! I guess I will strangle him on a different day:)

I'm married to the greatest guy ever

Really! I've have been reading blogs lately and wondering if anyone is married to someone who is not their best friend, greatest guy ever who I will love with all my heart. As I say, SERIOUSLY! There are days I wish I was single. When I come home from work and dishes are in the sink because my best friend didn't have time to do them. When I ask him how his day went and he said I was busy, went to work out at the Y, took the kids to school, worked on the computer, and cleaned the house. OK, really the house is a diaster! Stuff is everywhere (when you have 3 kids, girls at that, stuff is always everywhere!) So, please stop writing you husband is the greatest, best friend ever b/c I know there are days you just want to ring their necks!