And so THAT was Christmas...

As quickly as Christmas came this year is as quickly as Christmas went this year! Oh, good mornting Christmas! Oh? You're leaving so soon? I didn't even have time to make the bed or wash the towels! It was great seeing you! No, really! Hope we can rendezvous again next year. Same time? Of course!

So the Christmas highlights from December 24-December 26?

• "Who saves seats in Church? I've NEVER heard of someone saving seats. IN CHURCH." This gem of a quote from an older woman who arrived at the Jesuit church downtown at 3:35pm for the 4:00pm Christmas Eve Mass to find all the seats were taken (or saved). Her son's response: "Everyone does, Mom. It's Christmas."

• A wonderful Christmas Eve dinner/celebration with the LeBlancs. Pat, Byron, Loren, Katherine, and Miss Maddie! My mom's famous brie made my evening complete! And the red wine my dad pulled out from his private collection didn't hurt either! Delicious meal.

• Skyping with sister Christmas morning from Cambodia for close to an hour with Mom and Dad while waiting for Jeff and Katie to arrive!

• Christmas morning Brunch at the LeBlancs. The infamous Grillades and grits, mimosas, and Christmas morning china. Love. this. tradition.

• PRESENTS! What a GREAT Christmas for presents. While we switched things up a bit this year and opened presents after brunch so Jeff and Katie could be with us, I was a happy camper. I got just about everything I asked for this year: new sheets, coffee maker, iPad case, new camera, Men's Health magazine subscription, and some cash to put toward my trip to Thailand. And all of my gifts went over successfully! Jeff and Katie loved the Michalopoulos print, Mom was happy with Parenthood Season2 and the mini coquette dishes and Dad liked the Cognac.

• Watching Bridesmaids Christmas evening and crying from laughter during the dress fitting scene. My brother fell off the couch he was laughing so hard. Love. it.

• Spending yesterday with my brother and Katie shopping and cooking! We hosted a number of folks over for the Saints WIN over the Falcons and made quite a feast! Charbroiled oysters on the grill, fried oyster poboys, fried frog legs, and beer. Oh. my. gawd. Incredible. If I ate like this every day, my level of productivity would plummet.

And there we have it folks! Hope you had a wonderful holiday with family, friends, or your favorite pet. Cheers.