Holidays have always been something of a challenge in our relationship simply because our families live in opposite corners of the state. And being the ones in the middle of it all, we've always been the ones left to travel.
Christmas Eve is a big deal in Rich's family - dinner, church, presents. For my family, it's always been Christmas Day. Our compromise for many years was to spend Christmas Eve in Erie with Rich's family, eat breakfast early on Christmas morning and then get on the road. We'd make a quick stop at our apartment to unpack and repack, exchange gifts, then get back in the car so that we could make Christmas dinner at my folk's place (they very graciously started waiting until after dinner to open presents).
When kids entered the picture, that changed. Now, Christmas morning is always in our home. And until last year, we alternated between families and holidays. Thanksgiving with his family and Christmas with mine one year, switching for the next.
But, I think it's important to spend the holidays with family and to share in family traditions. Now that the kids are a little older and travel so much better, we're willing to get out on the road twice for Christmas.
So of course, LaSalle Family Christmas, hosted by my nephew Ricky and his wife Kathy, is one of my favorite memories in 2011. I have so few opportunities throughout the year to see all my brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews at the same time, but LaSalle Family Christmas gives that to me. We had only one holdout this year - my niece Darlene (though I totally understand) who spent her night watching the Flyers play in some ridiculously expensive seat her boss gave her as a birthday present.
Still, there were nearly 30 of us there. And I wouldn't have traded it for anything!
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