Happy Holidays...

I had designed a really fun holiday card for us to mail out this year, but then my laptop died taking all my files with it before I had printed the card, and said card is now just a figment of my imagination.  With time running short, we decided to forego the annual tradition.  So, unfortunately, I have no official family holiday card to share with you, but hopefully this cute shot of my tot will suffice.  Just imagine there's some festive decor and he's saying "happy holidays" or something else appropriate...

pretend there's some festive decor and merry wish to share...

In all seriousness, though, I did want to take some time to genuinely wish each and every one of you a very happy holidays.  As we head into this weekend of merriment (and constant watching of potential signs of baby's arrival around here!), our plans are to keep this weekend relatively low-key.  For us, that means we have the following on the agenda:

***Christmas Eve: Steelers game, 1PM

hosting Christmas Eve Open House 4:30-9ish***

***Christmas morning: present opening and cinnamon rolls at our abode***

***Christmas afternoon/night: dinner at my in-laws***

I don't know about you other parents out there, but the one thing I am insistent on at Christmas is that the morning be spent at our house.  Anyone is invited to come join us in their pj's (heck, or even spend the night if they want)...grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc...but I want my boys to grow up with the tradition of waking up in their own house and heading out to see what goodies Santa has delivered.  Selfish or appropriate?

Originally, with Baby X's imminent arrival, I had planned to skip the Christmas Eve Open House.  We had hosted one each year until last year, though, when it was skipped due to some family turmoil (which sadly is still going on, but what are you going to do?!?).  So, last Christmas Eve we had a very lame-o Japanese steakhouse outing.  Lame-o is probably unfair...anti-climatic would be more appropriate, I guess.  Either way, it just didn't feel like Christmas to me, so with no plans for Christmas Eve as of a few days before, I convinced Josh that we should just do a very low-key Open House.  Sure, it means a little work, as I plan to make Brie pasta, buckeye balls, and probably a couple other quick and easy things, but our friends and family that are coming also wanted to bring some stuff, so it should be pretty easy for this 39ish-week preggo to pull off (and if Baby X does decide to join us, we won't have too much wasted stuff!).  

I always wonder about these things though.  After all, I am actually a Jew that now gets to join in the fun that is Christmas due to marriage.  So, on this eve of Eve, please share!   What does your holiday line-up look like?  Do you spend the days surrounded by friends and family or keep it small?  Are things formal or casual?  What traditions do you particularly look forward to (or maybe some that you dread!)?   

And again, whatever you're up to this weekend/holiday, I do sincerely hope that you all have a very happy holiday