Merry Christmas!! =)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Lotus and the rest of the family. =)

I can’t believe another Christmas has come and gone already.  I have to admit, Christmas totally snuck up on me this year so the last week has kind of been a blur.  Marshall and I started shopping last Saturday and finished Christmas Eve day.  We then began the long  and then 7+ hours of driving within 48 hours to visit the family.  =)

First we headed to my Uncle John and Aunt Tiffany’s in San Ramon.

Marshall and Me. =)

Santa visited us and we sang my favorite “Merry Christmas to You” which is essentially “Happy Birthday” (another Hollfelder favorite).

Merry Christmas to you, Merry Christmas to you, Merry Christmas dear Santa, Merry Christmas to you... =)

Hmm, wonder where Dad was when Santa came…  Oh there he is.  =)

Dad and me. Best dad in the world. =)

Jeffery made me laugh with his ridiculous “My Cousin Vinny” impersonation.  I’m still laughing.

First we're gonna get like 45 of the same pictures and then we're gonna put them on the paper. =)

After opening presents Marshall riled the kids up by pretending to eat candy that they had given me.  He also started a wrapping paper fight which I’m sure my aunt and uncle didn’t appreciate.  Fortunately nothing got broken.  He’s such a big kid.  =)

Marshall really had the kids going pretending to want the basket that the girls used to hand out Christmas raffle prizes. What a silly guy. =)

Thank goodness this was just a piece of wrapping paper as Jeena's dead-on accuracy beaned Marshall and the camera a split second after this picture was taken.

After a couple of family pictures it was time to get back on the road so we could pick up the dogs and head to Twainharte to see Marshall’s family.

The cousins: Robyn, Tessa, Jeena and Neomie

We're a totem pole. Hiya-hiya... =)

It was about 9:30pm when we finally got on the road to Twainharte.  Fortunately there was very little traffic so I was able to get there in 2 hours (seriously, 2 hours).  Marshall fell asleep when we were driving through Manteca but he had put Caddyshack on so I had that to listen to.  Ah I love that movie.  =)

We arrived at Marshall’s parents around 11:30 and after getting the dogs settled we watched about an hour of “17 again” with his parents, sister and her boyfriend Kyle then headed to bed.  We had an early morning followed by a long day of driving to prepare for.  So sleepy…

Around 7am I woke up and checked on the dogs.  The sun had already started to come up so Marshall and I took them outside to use the bathroom and get some nice pictures of them in the snow.

Marshall and Lotus =)

Sierra and me =)

Next it was time for Christmas presents Marshall’s family.  Since camera flashes set of migraines for Jack I was only able to take one picture.  Fortunately it’s an awesome picture of Marshall and his family.  =)

Marshall, Lori, Jack and Andrea. Merry Christmas guys. =)

Everyone gave incredibly thoughtful gifts and we all had a great Christmas morning.  After presents, breakfast, and some IT support to get Lori’s scanner working we had to leave to go to my grandma Gillott’s in Salinas (about a 3.5-4hour drive).  Thanks for everything you guys.  We love you!

The drive to Salinas was a long one but everything worked out and we were welcomed with open arms upon arriving at Grandma’s.  Ah I love Grandma’s.  =)

While waiting for the rest of the family to arrive we snacked on delicious food that Grandma had prepared including a bunch of different types of cookies and pastries.  Delicious!  Then it was time for presents with the family.

One of the few times Grandma actually sat down to relax with the family. The rest of the time she was working to prepare the Christmas feast. =)

Merry Christmas Mom and Dad. =)

After dinner Jeriah, Heather, Jeffery, Grandma, my mom and Marshall played a game of Pictionary (my grandma’s favorite) while I read my new Photography book and worked on a 3D puzzle.

Pictionary! Marshall and my mom made a good team. =)

Finally it was time to head back home.  Marshall had to work the next day so I wanted to make sure he had plenty of rest and got to sleep in his own bed.  Fortunately Marshall has no problem falling asleep in the car when I’m driving so he got a nice little nap on the way home.

Although we would have loved to have been able to spend more time with everyone, I was very grateful that we got to see all the families.  I know it’s tough on Marshall’s family especially so perhaps we’ll do Christmas Eve at their house next year.  We’ll see.  Anyway, thanks to our families for a wonderful Christmas.  Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!  =)