Christmas 2024

Well another Christmas has come and gone. It was wonderful and magical and exhausting as per usual. This year, I don't think I was much of a Grinch as I have been in pervious years. But I think I also was fighting off another wave of depression. But Levent and I felt so wiped out during our week long celebrations. But it was good, nevertheless.

Christmas' soft launch happened for me on the morning of December 23. I took a break from work and had breakfast with my Aunt Joy and cousin Betha. It was great catching up with them and a great way to kick off the holidays. 

Christmas proper started on the 24th. This year, we celebrated with the Millers first before heading down to Virginia to be with part of my family. The Miller family Christmas started off with brunch at Blake and Brendan's place.

We spent the afternoon puzzling at Shirley and Wilbur's house before we had an early supper of traditional home made Christmas Eve pizza.

After dinner we finished our puzzle, listen to Wilbur read a story, ate some cheese and/or relaxed by the Christmas tree and enjoyed some French 75s I had made. (I also made a TON of Christmas cookies this year - 13 different kinds! Why? I have no idea. It was way to much, but the making of it was so fun).

On Christmas day, we had a slow morning (with cream buns! An Ontario Miller Christmas tradition) followed by a Turkish meal for lunch.

In the afternoon, we did another puzzle while watching football. In the evening we ate snacks, watched a movie and opened a few gifts. It was a lovely day.

The next morning, we had  Miller Christmas traditional Turkish brunch, but Blake, Brendan, Levent and I head down to Virginia. 

It was another lovely Miller Christmas.

Now on to the next!

As mentioned earlier, by the time Levent and I got my sister's house in Virginia, we were wiped out. So the first evening was pretty chill. We had supper together with my parents and sister's family, played a few games, watch a few random sports things and then went to bed.

The next morning, my sister and mom went to a funeral, so Jeron, Malakai, Levent and I (and the dogs) went on a walk down to Broad Porch coffee. Later, we headed over to my parents house for Christmas dinner and gifts.

I forgot to take a picture before we opened the gifts. Actually, I didn't do the best job taking photos in VA this year. Again, see exhaustion

The rest of our time there was pretty relaxing. (Lost of bowl games were watched). But we did do some other things out and about. For one thing, Mom treated us (including Dad!) to pedicures. Dad said he now could go another 70 years before he got another one. 

Other highlights having our second annual fondue night (with Leah and Jeron's friends Evan and Amanda). Leah and I did yoga at Sage Bird Ciderworks (which is followed by a free cider). And, of course, we went to breakfast, which we usually do whenever we come to Harrisonburg. This time, however, we went to the Little Grill before we headed back to Columbus.

I wish I would have taken more photos, but overall it was a fantastic Christmas and a lovely break from work. I still feel so lucky that we are able to celebrate with both sides of the family. And it's even better now that we don't have to drive to both of them. 

Merry Christmas!