Home for Christmas and New Years!

Sooooo I have a ton of catching up to do and I will definitely leave a lot of things out. Too much happened to write it all (or remember it right now...just finished long day at work). I managed to take two weeks off from work for vacation and it was super fun! Here goes some sort of summary:

I got home on Monday of Christmas week. Dad picked me up from where the bus dropped me off from the airport in the morning (ugh overnight flights, but I bought them last minute so I guess I was lucky to get them cheap). Here is my Los Angeles room during the packing frenzy, including cold weather hiking gear, surfing gear, climbing gear, Christmas presents, and not quite enough clothes:

Our first to-do item was to go running since it was Dad's running day and I had just been on an airplane forever. It was awesome to go running in the cold and snow...it had been awhile since real winter. Yaaaay! I tested out my vibram five fingers and they actually worked pretty well. My feet got wet but as long as I kept moving things were fine (I think it was about 25 degrees that day). The next couple of days were relaxing, sleeping, running, and enjoying being at home. Somehow I found a ton of things to do even though I had scheduled pretty much nothing. I even got my hair cut which was waaaay overdue ha ha. Dad and I did some trail running which was also cold with the five fingers but really awesome. I drove out to Rhode Island for some climbing at the RI rock gym where Derek lives. I went really late because Derek didn't finish work until 9pm so I ended up driving home after midnight. Climbing was good but RIRG has a different setting style than I am used to so it took awhile to get used to it. Afterward, we went into Providence and got healthy, great tasting pizza at one of the places Derek likes to go to. The atmosphere is so different than LA in the winter...it was midnight, 20 degrees out, snowy, and tons of people were going out for midnight concerts, food, and just hanging out. Ok I am going to say it again...yaaaaaay real winter! I really miss it in Los Angeles. I'm sorry, but warm weather is just not as nice as everyone says it is when you have it year round. Winter, complete with snow, is GOOD! We also got the chance to go to Foxwoods Casino to see the new version of Hairspray.

Dad and I started cooking and buying food because Mom had to work right up until Christmas Eve Day. When she finished work though we all started cooking (Derek came home too). Lots of cookies and other good desserts. :) Derek saved our Christmas tree by pointing out in disbelief that we hadn't actually put ornaments on it, just the lights Dad had done. Sooo ornament adding did happen this year, although more limited than usual.

Christmas Eve Day was hectic as usual but we got everything together and made it over to Uncle Paul and Aunt Wendy's old house (that their kids now live in). I love getting the chance to talk to everyone especially now that I live on the other side of the country. One of the Christmas Eve highlights is choosing which animals to buy from Heifer International for their relief and aid program in other countries. The conversations involves the whole family and ends up sounding like: "Chickens! No rabbits multiply quicker! But goats give milk..." Someone reads each animal description while the rest of us decide what we want to get with our pooled funds. Its a super fun way to give gifts to other people during Christmas. Afterwards, we celebrated with Christmas Carols:

The night ended with the midnight church service at our church. Its late, but worth it, because the service ends with everyone standing outside in the cold in front of the church with lit candles singing silent night at midnight. The cold, the snow, and the candles are a beautiful combination. We even noticed someone in a chauffeured fancy car stopped on the side of the road and walked over to listed. Midnight on Chrsitmas Eve/Day. Followed by the cold, snowy drive home to our Christmas light lit house. :)

Christmas day involved lots of opening of gifts in the morning! And really good Christmas breakfast! We all got great gifts from each other including a bunch of different kinds of winter outdoor gear for everyone and interesting books and other useful things. :) Christmas Day was spent at Grandpa's house. We picked up Auntie Mary on the way who is recovering from back surgery. Christmas Day dinner was amazing as usual thanks to Uncle Derek and Auntie Sue who managed to barely avoid a turkey disaster due to a lost turkey. All the food was great...I feel like I need to eat as much as I can to save up energy and nutrients for normal life once the holidays are over (I guess that is the runner's life, right?). Now if only I could hibernate afterward. We shared gifts with Mom's side of the family (thanks everyone!).

Lots of good conversation, good food, good church service, seeing family, and WINTER! Ha ha I miss New England...

Josh had a good Christmas too...a new climbing helmet! Since his last one was ruined by rocks falling on his head while he was wearing it. Safety is good!

Ok this is going to have to be two parts...New Year's Day will follow (later).