Christmas Type Togetherness

Imagine the noise associated with this roomful of people and you will be on your way to experiencing my Christmas Eve family togetherness.

 

Starting the celebrations out at my aunt's house,
we munched on yummy treats and passed out gifts in the midst of our laughter and chatter.

Somehow the chaos that seems to surround our togetherness made way for we girls to gather around Grandma

and to open these toasty slippers,
which she had knitted for us with love.

(Though Daniela didn't get a pair of her own,
she agreed with us that they were pretty great...)

Before we knew it, it was time to head out for our exclusive Kooistra Christmas Togetherness over at mom & dad's house, where many more goodies and many more packages awaited us.

In front of the cozy fire and the pretty tree, 

we gifted each other with love

 

and remarked on the fact that we have acquired the sweetest baby as well as the sweetest dog since this time last year.

The night went quickly and before we knew it Keith and Marisa took Daniela home, it was Christmas Day, and there were stockings to be opened.

Digby (of the Dave & Kara Kooistras) learned all about Kooistra Christmas Togetherness as he scoped out this stocking tradition,

and played with his own stocking treasures.

We lounged sleepily with our coffee and pajamas,

remarked on the variety of 'little things' (yet another Kooistra tradition) that get tucked into those stockings by our stocking wizard each year,

and shared in the last moments of our all-too-brief Christmas togetherness before Dave & Kara got on the road for home.  

The rest of the day was spent leisurely

over the lasagna dinner that has somehow become tradition in recent years,

with time for more gifts, more conversation,

and a delicious Christmas nap.

Christmas type togetherness,
you are welcome to return next year!