Sandwiched between finals, end of semester parties and school getting out, then basketball and wrestling practices, spending gift money, and family time (or dates) while on break, there was Christmas. There are only 2 more of those with the girls "officially" at home. Two More. Two more Christmas mornings being the best big sisters watching little brothers tear into gifts - especially the little one. Two more crazy Christmas Eve's of shuffling from home to home getting everyone to the places they want to be and celebrating with a big family. 2 more late Christmas Eves where I get to stuff stockings KNOWING they will be there the next morning to see what Santa brought.
We spent as much time as possible with the girls this holiday weekend. These girls are supremely lucky and immensely blessed. While a big family can be hard to manage, and communication failures are abundant, there are perks, too! They have SO MUCH FAMILY that loves them, cares for them, and spoils them rotten. My family. Britt's family. Their Dad's family. His wife's family. They had more Christmas Celebrations and presents to open than they could possibly count. I hope they treasure that. They have new clothes, new gadgets, pocket money, and a true momentum heading in to the new year.
Christmas Eve night was spent with Nana and Grandpa - the first Christmas in their new house in Perkins. Nana brought Gigi over from her home at Brookdale in Stillwater, Grandpa picked up the girls from their dad at a meeting spot in Guthrie, while Britt and I brought the boys over from Stillwater. We had chili (or chicken nuggets for the picky eaters), ate a plethora of desserts, and then opened presents. We even stayed a little late after Gigi went back to Stillwater and played with new toys and gadgets.
After making it home to Stillwater, we read the annual "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and donned "Christmas" PJ's. Jake took over the duty of reading the story this year, He's such a big guy these days. Then it was off to bed so Santa could come. There are practically no pictures of Christmas. We were too busy enjoying it! We stayed home, as a family of six, all day. We opened stockings, and presents, and then played with new toys, enjoyed each other's company, (one of us took a nap), and generally chilled until we got hungry for lunch.
For lunch, I chose our family's favorite and easy meal. Keeping it simple. Lara helped me make Sticky Chicken, and EVERYONE ate it. No arguing, no begging for people to taste new things. No worries about insulting the host or the person who made a certain dish. We ate what we liked and we enjoyed it. After the kitchen was clean, it was back to fun activities and playing with new toys. Nana and Grandpa stopped over to play our new board game - Ticket to Ride. Fun, relaxed, family day.
Merry Christmas, indeed!
Sticky Chicken:
Prepare a package of frozen popcorn chicken.
While it cooks, mix over low heat:
6 Tbsp honey
4 Tbsp ketchup
4 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp white vinegar
2 Tbsp soy sauce
Salt/pepper
Bring to boil, simmer 3-5 minutes (to thicken slightly)
Toss with cooked chicken, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions
serve it with boil in bag brown rice
While it cooks, mix over low heat:
6 Tbsp honey
4 Tbsp ketchup
4 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp white vinegar
2 Tbsp soy sauce
Salt/pepper
Bring to boil, simmer 3-5 minutes (to thicken slightly)
Toss with cooked chicken, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions
serve it with boil in bag brown rice
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