Every year, my mother's side of the family has an annual get-together. When I lived in my Oak Street house, we'd usually do a summer gathering there because it had a nice big fenced-in backyard and a pool. Now that I don't live there anymore, we've started doing an annual Christmas party again, which we used to do years ago. This year, it was at my cousin Kassy's house in western Massachusetts for the second year in a row. It's about a two-hour drive, but it's worth the drive. Sam and I had a fun time!
Cousins and second cousins/cousins-once-removed galore!
And an aunt and uncle
The cookies were festive and delicious!
I finally treated myself to a new ugly Christmas sweater this year. I've been wearing the same one for many years, and I still have it and wear it, but I wanted to change things up a bit. I kept the same headband since I literally only wear it about one time per year (at this party!).
Kassy and her family decorate their house so well for the holidays! This picture doesn't capture the true magnitude of it!
Those are more of my cousins. 👆
My plate of cookies
This picture of my cousin Belinda in her elf hat cracks me up.
Here I am with my Aunt Audrey and Aunt Lisa. I hadn't seen Lisa (the one sitting next to me) in many years because she and my uncle got divorced and she moved out of state. It was nice to see her again!
Here are Kassy, me, and Sam. Kassy is a year younger than me and we went to high school together. She and I have always been good friends and gotten along well. That's the thing I love about cousins--they're friends that you're related to and who you've known for your entire life.
I look kind of chubby in this picture! This may not have been the most flattering ugly Christmas sweater. Who knew? 😂
I like this picture of Kassy and Belinda.
The highlight of the party is the Yankee Gift Swap. It's always fun to see what people choose to bring as gifts, and what the most popular gifts are.
My Uncle Tommy (Kassy's dad) got a funny gift 😆
I really like this picture that my cousin Abby took. It's such a classic holiday candid with the tree and family and present opening. Sam is the one opening the gift he chose as we all watch.
Belinda's hat continued to crack me up. She got number 1 in the swap, so she got to choose the final present. And, somewhat surprisingly, she chose the one I brought! It was a super-soft holiday blanket and a bag of
my favorite hot cocoa.
After the gift swap and before we all left, we took a few group pictures. We're a big family, and this isn't even half of us!
It was a fun party, and I'm already looking forward to next year's!
