the big family christmas

G's "extended" family gathers every year for Christmas to eat, talk, and play "Dirty Santa". Three years ago I spent my first Christmas with G's family. He took me the day BEFORE he asked me to be his girlfriend. I sat through hours of different family members asking me if I was G's girlfriend while I cringed on the inside and smiled on the outside and said "no" over and over as sweetly as my fiery New Jersey attitude would allow.  

A year later we were engaged. 

Now we're married and I've come to accept G's very large, loud, and loving family.  G had the great privilege of growing up with his aunts, uncles, and cousins and considers his cousins some of his best friends. I am now learning what a luxury the big family life is and have found some dear friends of my own in the crowd. 

This year we had much to celebrate. An engagement, a new baby, a cousin home from serving with the army for R&R, and a birthday. It was also special to have the matriarch of the family, Alice, with us. As I've said before, time with aging family members is precious. 

I will let you guess which one the matriarch is and which one the new baby is in this photo.

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The next few days are ridiculously packed. And I love it. I will be soaking up the hugs and the laughs and the calories. Hopefully I'll make a quick trip to the gym to day to pay for some of those Christmas treats.