Holiday Recap 2011

"I see a cowboy"

Piperade!
Jeff and I had a lovely holiday season with lots of family visits, food, and relaxation. The weather in CA was amazing, and we really enjoyed spending quality time with our extended families. We kicked off the weekend before Christmas at my Dad and Erika's house. A few weeks earlier they had gone to Bodega Bay and caught several crab for our Christmas dinner. Erika served that with a Basque dish called Piperade. Everything was delicious and topped off with my dad's angel food cake and steamed pumpkin pudding! The foodie in Jeff and I is always satisfied at my dad's house. We ended the night with gift opening and numerous laughs. We only wish we could have gone up to Portland to see all the Baxters!

No tears for Kendall this time!
On Christmas Eve we got to spend time with the Gukan/Demers/Baxter clan. It was such a joyous time with everyone and the sweet babies! The house felt so full of of love at my Aunt's house and I loved the reoccurring theme of regifting and homemade gifts. It really helps focus the true meaning of Christmas. I think the most special moment for Jeff and I is when Grandma G opened the wedding album we made her. The look on her face was priceless!!

The classy traveling shirt 2011

Christmas Day we spent with the Masters and Bowmans. The Masters always set up a gift exchange between all of Ron and Jeanne's children and grandchildren. This year I had Uncle Casey and Jeff had Carrie. Chris was buying for me and Jeff bought for Carrie. I knew Chris would be up to something buying for me! The Masters have a Christmas tradition known as the "traveling shirt". On Christmas 1980, Ron was given a shirt from his mother, Velma, that wasn't his taste. He regifted the shirt the next year and as an ongoing tradition it is regifted to someone in the family every year. Being my first Christmas "officially" as a Masters Chris gifted it to me. The other rule is if you get it and it fits, you have to wear it to dinner. It's always fun to see who gets the shirt so I will have to think of a fun way to regift it in 2012!! Overall this holiday season was filled with abundance and love. Jeff and I are very fortunate!!