Christmas in Danvers

I love spending Christmas in Danvers with my sister's family - her kids really "get" the spirit of Christmas, and they keep so many wonderful traditions. This will probably be the last year we'll get to go for a while. We flew (first class! courtesy of Anne Marie's miles) to Boston on Christmas Eve, and despite delays, we amazingly made it to the 5 o'clock church service just in time to see our nieces Shelby and Payton sing in the choir. This was followed by the annual Christmas Eve party at the Soper's house, where Tyson served sparkling and still versions of our apfelwein.
Another Christmas tradition in the Glass Johnson house comes from Art's mother, Peggy - matching Christmas pjs for the family. I think we'll start implementing that tradition in our own household next year.

My mother helped prepare the annual gingerbread house. Most years, we  leave out milk and cookies for Santa, and magic oats for the reindeer. I can't wait to share these traditions with Godot.

As for his/her first flying experience... Godot was unusually still during both flights, and extremely quiet the rest of the evening. But he/she made up for it that night - while I lay huddled against Tyson for warmth in bed that night, Godot repeatedly kicked Tyson with the biggest kicks we've ever felt.

Christmas morning started early - the kids rang sleigh bells outside our door around 6:40am, but then decided to go open their stockings. The official wake up call came a few minutes later.

Here's the favorite gift received this year:

 

 This turned out to be a great game for the entire family. Tyson and I also joined in at times, usually with me on guitar or bass, and Tyson on drums.

We went to the Patton house for Christmas dinner. My cousin Brad decided to torture us by dressing himself and his son in Scum Devils attire...

Jonell and Lili cooked an amazing dinner, followed by poached pears for dessert. What a great Christmas!