Rachael_from_FOX's Blog

I know that I said I was a scrooge before, but I take that back now.  I had a wonderful Christmas!

My cousin flew in from Florida on Friday... she's like my sister and I love her so much!  On Saturday, we all went to my mom's brother's house for "Cookie Day 2007."  What is cookie day you ask?  Well my mother is the youngest of 10 children, so you can imagine how big our family is.  I have over 90 cousins on that side of the family!  On Christmas Eve, we all gather together for a huge reunion.  We eat A LOT of cookies, so we have to have a cookie day where all we do is bake cookies.

Each person has her own job.  There's a pourer, mixer, spooner (not cuddling, but spooning the mix onto the cookie sheet), timer, taker outer, etc.  I came a little late this year, so my job was taster.  Okay, so maybe I planned it that way:)

Anyway, Cookie Day 2007 was a huge success.  Over 20 dozen cookies! 

On Christmas Eve, I saw family that I haven't seen in a year.  I ended up staying really late and eating too much, but that's what Christmas is for I guess.

On Christmas day, my family and I exchanged gifts.  I think my dog Shadow had the most presents under the tree.  He seemed to know exactly which ones were his, and he opened them all by himself.  What did I get?  Here's my top 5 presents this Christmas:

1. Nintendo DS from my brother (I've been playing with this all day, don't tell my boss)
2. vacuum cleaner (I am officially a boring grown up)
3. Money
4. 2008 Rose Bowl Illini shirt
5. pumpkin pie (seriously, my cousin Missy makes it from scratch and it's a little slice of heaven.  She made one only for me this year.  Loved it!)

Of course, the beauty of Christmas isn't getting gifts, but giving them and being with the ones you love.... but I still really really enjoy getting gifts. :)

What did everyone else get this year?  Did anyone give anything really great? 

Next up, New Years!  My best girls and I are traveling to Nashville.  As for a New Year's resolution... I'll get back to you on that!

I hope everyone had Happy Holidays!

~Rachael