I really love the holidays, I really do, but it seems like it has gotten so crazy with plans and parties and shopping and cooking. I love it all, but man, was it on overload this year. Here is some of the craziness that we had going on.
We hosted 3 parties, my company party, Christmas day and a New Years Eve fiesta. I love to host parties, I feel I'm pretty good at it. I don't go all fancy schmancy, but I throw a good shin-dig. I love planning a menu and cooking, making desserts and appetizers. For our work party, I made tiramisu, which was just ok, and a jalapeno popper dip, which is the best thing I've ever eaten. My boss provided beer, wine, soda and Famous Dave's BBQ, which was fantastic. We had a dirty Santa game, with nice gifts. I hate the ones where people bring crap. I have enough crap, I don't want yours. Anyway, we were seriously a bunch of old ladies, fighting over a couple of really cool teapots, and some homemade body products . After all the "cool" people left, the really cool people got down to business with some Dance Central, and Cards Against Humanity. It was pretty epic. Dave likes to sit and watch, (and laugh) as people dance and make fools of themselves, but then once forced to partake, he wipes the floor with everyone.
Christmas Eve came, and was too full for my liking. Everyone ended up having to work, except Dad, who was making our magnificent dinner, so AJ spent the day with our sitters family. I worked for most of the day, and got off a little early to finish my shopping, and rush AJ to Christmas Eve service at church. Well, that was not as calming and soul soothing as it normally is for me. Taking a toddler to church is like bathing a cat, or nailing jello to a tree, or holding a tornado. It is not a fun experience. He enjoyed the puppet show, and as much as I know that I need to take him, it was not my idea of a good time. After that, we had a quiet and amazing dinner at my parents house, just my little family and one brother. It was a quiet moment in the month.
Our second big party was Christmas day, although there was much less frivolity. AJ didn't even wake up until 8:30, and we didn't even start on presents until 10. It was pretty nice, and we are well aware that it will not last. After presents and breakfast burritos, we cleaned up a bit and got ready for my sister in laws family to join us. The day was beautiful, and the boys actually played football in the street, which led to much bemoaning of how old they were getting. We switched dinner up a little this year, with smoked turkey and ribs, mac and cheese, Chinese coleslaw, deviled eggs and fruit salad. Dessert was a buffet of our Christmas cookies. It was delish, and pretty low key, which was nice. We left the next days for 3 days in La Junta with Dave's family. It was lovely actually, I took a much needed nap, and AJ was thoroughly loved on and enchanted by his grandparents and great grandparents.
New Years Eve was supposed to be just a few friends, for games and dinner, something we did at Colleens last year, but it turned into more of a party. I made fajitas, Spanish rice, homemade salsa and guac, (even though I worked all day), and my mom made black beans and blackberry margaritas, which were amazing. We played games, and partied like only middle age people can. Babies were snuggled and put to bed, kisses were given at midnight and the parents went home. After they left, we played a bit of Quelf with the Oakes' and our friend Mason. I've pretty much decided that game only exists to make people look like giant idiots. Which we did.
After all these fun amazing times, of course I got sick and have been struggling with that for a week now. I hate being sick, it doesn't happen very often, but it really hits me when it does. I had all these grandiose plans of getting the house clean and organized during all of our time off, but that happened very slowly. I would get a wild hair to clean an entire room, and Dave would find me exhausted halfway through. I hate not having the energy to get stuff done. But I eventually got most of it done, although our tree is still sitting in the living room, all boxed up and waiting to head to the basement.
So anyway, long story later, I'm very happy to see this side of the holidays, ready to make some life improvements, dare we say resolutions, and get back to normal life. No more crazy shopping, maybe just one party a month, lol, and some downtime with the family. I think I'm going to work on not spreading myself so thin, I know I take on too much, so I'm going to try and nip that in the bud. Happy 2014, happiness and health to all, and May the Odds be Ever In your Favor!
Oh man, I had no idea you were so tapped out!! Being your friend is amazing, and going to your parties or dinners is something that we absolutely cherish and look forward to. We will host a dinner for you guys soon!!!!
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