Christmas in California

For the Christmas break James and I decided to go to California and celebrate it with my family. Prior to our leaving I made sure that James understood all of the traditions that happen on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For example: For Christmas Eve dinner we have sparkling apple cider and deli sandwiches and chips, on Christmas Day you can't open presents until everyone is there and then we go one at a time youngest to oldest. As our bishop said it best to James when we told him what we were doing, he said, "If they say wear you pajamas backwards while opening presents, make sure you see them do it first."

We flew out on the 22nd on Delta to Oakland. As we arrive at the Oakland airport and we are waiting for our two bags to come out we discover that only one has made it. The other suitcase, which contained all my clothes and the Christmas presents, was in Oklahoma City (OKC) not Oakland (OAK). We didn't get the bag until the morning of Christmas Eve. It was interesting trying to figure out clothes for the almost two days of not having anything.

While out in California, mom, dad, my sister Courtney and James and I were able to preform some sealings in the Oakland temple for my side of the family. We were able to seal both sets of my great grandparents on my dad's side and his mother, my grandma, to her parents. It was a great experience.

Christmas Eve consisted of the usual traditions that happen in the family. First, as I mentioned before, Christmas Eve dinner with Luca Deli sandwiches. Second, the reading of the Nativity and lastly bringing out the presents with the jingle bells. James was hesitant on this last tradition but he was a good sport and participated anyway.

Christmas Day was nice. James insisted on making Eggs Benedict for breakfast. It turned out really good. And we opened presents. I gave James one of his favorite TV series, Flight of the Conchords. It was a surprise. He also got some architecture books, and some DVDs. I got Sleeping Beauty and some shoes and clothes. Later we played Mega Monopoly and it was a competitive game. James beat everyone at Monopoly. We went and had dinner at Nanny and Grandpa's and played some games. Overall it was a very nice Christmas.