Christmas is over. Man was it crazy. In keeping with the alternating tradition, this year Ejdo and I were Christmassing in Pittsburgh with my family. A change in tradition however, my mom was not hosting Christmas dinner. I had mixed feelings on this, but I understand why we did it.

Drove up on the morning of the 24th. Got in around 1-ish. I, of course, forgot something, so we all schlepped out to the mall. Yep, we went to the mall on Christmas Eve. But it wasn't that bad and we were back home around 3:30 or so. At 5:30 we went to my OCD aunt & uncle's house for dinner. That OCD applies to both....they're perfect for each other. Nice lasagna dinner, Ejdo and I ate with the old folks upstairs. Good stuff.

Opened gifts that night because Dad had mass at 7 the next morning. Ejdo and I got a new TV for each other this year, so we asked mostly for money. But we still got a few other items. A great one was a framed watercolor of Burress Hall by P. Buckley Moss from Fran & Bob. Its already hung in the living room.

Other highlights include a new watchband, Yaktrax Pro so we don't fall like idiots next time we camp in the ice, and a great glass necklace. Good stuff.

Christmas day we went to my uncle's house to spend time with my dad's family. They're more formal, so we were dressed up drinking nice wine and eating fancy cheese and shrimp before a brunch of quiche and ham. It was all very good. Left with lots of money for the TV.

Following that, we went home and changed, then went to my cousin's house for dinner with my mom's family. Much less formal. We wore jeans and sweaters and were the nicest dressed people there. Two uncles were in sweats and we spent most of the evening watching House and watching the over-sugared children run around. It was exhausting.

Friday it rained almost the whole day. We got out to Hartwood to walk the dogs in the morning. Sawyer played at the dog park and had a blast. Sammy and Lucy were hell on wheels as usual. In the afternoon we went to see Marley and Me. It was very good, but bring Kleenex. I cried, but I expected to. Even saw Ejdo shed a few. Sawyer is working his way into his heart. After that we went to Quaker Steak and Lube for wings. Ejdo had been wanting to go there forever, so we finally got out. The dry rub salt and vinegar wings were awesome!

Saturday was gorgeous. Went running in the morning with Sawyer and Dad. Mom took Sammy and Lucy for a walk and Ejdo worked out in the basement. Some exercise for everyone. Then we went to the Zoo....another thing Ejdo has been hearing about but we hadn't done. It was great. Beautiful day. Lots of people, but it wasn't bad walking around. The new polar bear exhibit was pretty cool and we got some neat shots of the sand tiger sharks swimming over us.

Sunday is was back home. We left around 8:30 and just kept going once we got home. It was time to get stuff ready for New Years Eve and the Orange Bowl. Not sure how good an idea it was to have parties on two consecutive nights, but it will be fun. We're frying a turkey for New Years, so my grocery list is pretty long. We also had to re-do the stereo system for the new TV, get stuff for the newly completed bathroom (sorry no pics yet, just got the camera back), and do all the laundry from being out of town.

Crazyness. Hope you all had a good holiday! More pics once I get home and upload from the camera.