The week before Christmas I started the day with some Saturday morning vinyl, an ode to the amount of driving I was about to undertake.
Kelli finished wrapping some of the presents we were going to need.
We were heading to a play, but had some extra time, so we grabbed a beer.
Afterwards we met up with my family and sat for a one man production of A Christmas Carol.
Intermission beerporn.
This was the set. The production was really well done.
Then, we went for a 2.5 hour drive to Richmond, VA…
To hang out with the Porters.
There was a fire going outside to help keep warm in the cold.
Kelli and I were staying in Carleigh’s room.
The kids were hanging out in the other room.
And enjoying opening Christmas presents.
Good times.
Christmas Carol time!!!
The adults were in the kitchen…
And everyone was drinking.
Kelli getting a lecture about how she shouldn’t go to bed early.
Of course it wasn’t too much longer before we were all ready for bed.
The next morning this was the scene from where the kids slept.
We had a quick breakfast…
And then headed out for home.
Riley was happy to get some rest.
When we got home, Joe had left us cookies on our front porch.
What a cutie!!
For Christmas Eve Eve we went to Aida’s for the Feast of Seven Fish.
And we came home that night and slept in front of the tree.
On Christmas Eve, I picked up Kelli from work…
And we headed to my brother’s house.
My brother and I exchanged beer as gifts.
And we watched Amber…
…and Taylor open their gifts from us.
My brother trimmed his tree.
And I enjoyed some more beer.
The Hope ornament.
Watching some boob tube.
After the tree was topped…
It was time to say goodbye.
We next stopped at Victoria Gastro Pub for the Ugly Christmas Sweater party.
That empty space is where you will soon find my name.
Some of the sweaters on display.
From there it was to church for a Christmas Eve service.
And then to Megan and Peter’s house for a dinner bonanza.
Megan made her famous gingerbread martinis.
Then we did some gift opening.
On the way home we stopped at this house for a great Christmas light display.
Then it was home to sleep in front of the tree.
Me being goofy at midnight.
The next morning we headed over to Kristi’s house to exchange gifts.
Aunt Kel painted some nails.
I drove the kids to the next stop…
Beth’s open house.
Always a fun time in the middle of Christmas day.
Riley inspected the chicken coop outside…
And then spotted the chickens.
Later that night it was over to Kelli’s mom’s house.
We all had a nice dinner together.
Afterwards, Jillian and I goofed off in the kitchen…
…while everyone else played cards.
And then, finally, we were back home, sleeping in front of the tree again.