the hangover

wait, before you get any ideas.  this is not the kind of post that will include embarrassing pictures, at least not embarrassing pictures that i can't remember.  i am talking about a holiday hangover.  it feels like we have been celebrating all week month.

let me start by saying that this is the first christmas in a long time where i never really felt overwhelmed by all of the christmas rush.  we had things under control and were on top of lists and money, 2 things that usually having me going crazy by christmas.  there were some last minute decisions and adjustments but in the end it all worked out, thanks to santa and his helpers.

the real festivities started at the brockett christmas celebration last weekend.  the commissioner of christmas (for our district) laid out the plans for the traditional family gift exchange.  no seriously this group has a commissioner of christmas.  we exchanged gifts with just the little ones (under high school age).  and it worked out so well.

much needed new books

a barbie convertible

right up his alley

we had turkey with stuffing, ham and all the fixings.  and this is where i made my first chocolate trifle.  this dessert is so easy and lovely.  thanks go out to uncle ed for helping with the structural plans.

trifle with hot fudge

as always, it was a wonderful family day.  thanks to becky and mike for letting us come over. and to gigi and great grandpa for this beautiful family.

next celebration was with mom and tom.  they made the brutal trip up to see us.  brutal because it took them 4 hours to get here from orange county.  at one point they were literally standing on the freeway for 40 minutes. although the trip was rough we were so glad that they spent some time with us.

and the kids got more of what they wanted.

we had pizza and cookies from our favorite pizza place.  everyone was happy.

on christmas eve while we were busy getting ready for christmas the kids turned these 99 cent trader joe's gingerbreads

into these works of art.

alien gingy and rapunzel

we went to burbank for christmas eve with the family.  there was italian food,  more presents and the second chocolate trifle.

trifle with chocolate pudding

we opened up our christmas pajamas

thanks mrs. claus

got the kids to bed and watched midnight mass at the vatican.

in the morning the kids stayed busy playing with their toys from the night before.  they were so patient while we waited for my parents and the coffee.

then it was gift opening time.

and, ok, one embarrassing picture of all of us in our pajamas.

and hot chocolate croissants for breakfast.

for the afternoon session bob, d, angela and mike came over.  more presents were opened.

i made angela and mike an album with pictures from their engagement party, engagement photos, bridal shower and wedding.  it came out really nice and i think they liked it.

others of us got piggy banks with lots of change, a new point and shoot camera, a trip to disneyland, and a kindle.  so excited for that.

then we prepped for the evening portion of our day, the camacho family christmas.  this year we were able to get all of our families together on christmas day, instead of christmas eve.  and it was at our house.

we had the world's best lasagna, that really is the name of the recipe, fettuccini alfredo and salad.  we exchanged gifts and had such a great time.

after a bit of a battle we were able to get sofia into her christmas dress and out of her room.  but i never got her to brush her hair or a good picture of her.

and i am so excited to try out my new cookbook.

wow.  did that make anyone else dizzy and pass out.  it was a week full of amazing memories and some pretty awesome food and gifts.  we are recuperating today before we head off to the snow.

we hope everyone enjoyed their christmas as much as we did.