Brad and I are celebrating Christmas with his parents out on the NC coast this year. We alternate between spending Thanksgiving or Christmas with my family and his family. Since we won’t be here this weekend, we decided to swap presents with my family at my brother’s (Wess) apartment yesterday.
I had no trouble finding their apartment because Jen, Wess’ wife, had made a really cute Appalachian State wreath for their door. It reminded me of the UNC Christmas wreath I made in college for a gift swap.
They had the apartment all decorated, complete with a tree and gifts.
Jen outdid herself baking cookies the day before. I loved the chocolate ones with the powdered sugar best. There were big chunks of chocolate inside of them. How could you go wrong with that?
We snacked on appetizers and maybe even some cookies before lunch.
Brad is addicted to some game on his phone called Angry Birds. He’s always trying to get me to play it, but had no trouble persuading my little cousin Ashlyn.
Our family always wants the grandkids to get together for a group shot.
I had a little bit of everything on my plate at lunch. From left to right, clockwise: parmesan chicken in a white wine sauce, roasted potatoes, broccoli casserole, macaroni and cheese, Greek salad, a whole wheat biscuit, carmelized maple brussel sprouts.
Bet you can’t guess what I brought? 😉
And yes, I did pick up the ugliest biscuit on purpose. It was the last one I made and the last one is always ugly because you have to shape it with your hands and it never turns out quite like the others.
I also had just a bit of each dessert. A bite of berry trifle, a sliver of pumpkin flan, and a bit of a fruitcake cookie, which tasted much better than any fruitcake I’ve ever had.
After lunch, we sat around and talked for a while.
I’ve taught Ashlyn several important things in life: one of them is baking, the other is how to cross your eyes and then make one of them wander. Trust me, it’s much better than Brad’s inside out eyelid trick.
I didn’t snap photos during the gift exchange because I was busy opening gifts, but I did manage to take a shot of Rascal’s gift (who wasn’t there to open them). My mom got him some doggy gingerbread men and a sweater.
I will definitely have to post a photo of him in his sweater when I get a chance. He’s so handsome in it. 🙂
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