Houston Christmas

My last Christmas of the season was with my father’s side of the family in Houston.  Many of you know this if you have read my blog for an extended period of time, as I have talked about my cousins on my blog before.  But two of my cousins, Jacki and Scott, are more like my brother and sister than my cousins. While we were kids, during the summers they would come over to our house every weekend.  We would swim and play hide and seek in the neighborhood.  Most of my memorable childhood antics involve both of them.  As we got older, they “watched us” all summer while our parents were at work.  We have more inside jokes and memories than most cousins.  Which means Christmas with my dad’s side of the family is always fun. 

We have celebrated Christmas with them as long as I can remember.  We celebrated at different places each year growing up, but since Jacki started popping out babies, we have celebrated Christmas at her house.  I always enjoy Christmas at her house because it feels like home.  Don't misunderstand, I always feel at home with my parents, because their house will always be my home. But I love that part of my extended family feels like immediate family too.  If that makes any sense... I also love Christmas at Jacki's because I get to help make the food.  This year we (Jacki and I) made a cheesecake, lemon squares and I made the fruit salad (which sounds easy but involved pomegranate, thank you very much).  I would have helped with more, but I started entertaining her children at one point and didn’t get back to the kitchen.  Next year, perhaps.

Anyway, I love family when it doesn’t feel forced.  I love sitting around and laughing about the past.  I love catching up on the last year and talking about the future.  I love playing with my precious second-cousins and hoping that one day they will be for my kids what Jacki and Scotty were for me and my brother. 

Jacki, thanks for hosting again.  Thanks for letting me stay with you.  I love our late night conversations.  Can’t wait till next year!