The first post from our travels includes details about our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations. We spent Christmas Eve with Colin's family in upstate New York. Being the only family members not living in the area, it's easiest for us to travel to visit the family than for the other 8 members to travel to us!
The Millers beautiful Christmas tree is overwhelmed with presents!
We decided to open presents before dinner, and our 8-year-old nephew Brian distributed the gifts to everyone.
Two-year-old Isabella was one of the main attractions at Christmas!
She loved her tea set, stuffed animals and books.
The living room is filled with people and presents
Brian couldn't wait to put together his legos
Our Italian Christmas Eve dinner (and oyster soup for the fish eaters)
On Christmas Day, we woke to 2" of snow on the ground and stockings filled with gifts from Santa.
The snow is a beautiful backdrop to the Christmas decor
The Millers must have been good this year because Santa filled the stockings!
Colin and I had wanted to do something for others for the holiday, and since most community volunteer opportunities were filled, we opted to cook brunch for the family instead. On Christmas Eve, we prepared The Food Network's Sourdough Strata and Sausage, Apple, and Walnut Stuffing, so it was ready to be cooked on Christmas morning. I had made the stuffing at Thanksgiving and found it to be a delicious breakfast item. The second time I made it, at Christmas, it was not as good as the first time because I used Sourdough bread and non-spicy sausage. The Sourdough Strata was the highlight for me and most of the family.
The Sourdough Strata (left) and Sausage, Apple, Walnut Stuffing (right)
Before setting out for our 3-hour drive to Rhode Island, we managed to get a few holiday photos of the family. The toughest, by far, is to get 2 kids and a dog to sit still, look, and smile at the camera at the same time!
The Miller crew, minus one, on Christmas Day
Darwin, Isabella, and Brian almost all looking at the camera
Thankfully, it had snowed the 1-2" overnight and the skies remained mostly clear during the afternoon drive from Albany to RI. We arrived to dinner in the oven, more presents under another beautiful tree, and the Clemente family ready to welcome us with open arms.
The Clemente tree is also filled with presents
An amazing dinner consisting of lots of vegetables, pork and ham
The Clemente's on Christmas Day
After pictures and dinner, we opened our gifts. It was funny that my brother, Colin and I all got sneakers! I guess we all want to help each other stay fit in 2013. Even my parents received exercise gear (just not sneakers). I love that my family is motivated to stay as healthy as possible and supports each other to exercise!
Showing off our exercise gear
To continue with our tradition, we ended the night jamming out to Rock Band! Colin tested his abilities on hard and I managed to save us during a few songs by doing the vocals and the guitar at the same time!
It was wonderful to see all of our family and to spend some time with each other during the holidays.
Stay tuned for more on our holiday week adventures! I'll warn you that there will be lots of pictures of very adorable children!
What is your favorite holiday memory?
With the Miller family, I love that the family, presents, and wrapping paper fills the living room when we open gifts.
With the Clemente's, I love that we jam to Rock Band.
