A Cajun Christmas
Growing up, Christmases were often spent in Crowley, Louisiana with our Maw Maw and Paw Paw, aunts and uncles and all our cousins. I come from a large family, so the house was always filled with so much love, laughter, great food, drink, gifts and celebration. I haven't spent a Christmas in Crowley since my teenage years. Life happens and as you grow, your own personal family expands and you begin your own holiday traditions. Then life happens again, and those traditions shift. Life is about remaining flexible and embracing imperfect moments and recognizing the perfection in them. This year has been like that. Since loosing my Paw Paw, life just seems to be painted in different colors. So its been about learning to appreciate the new colors and see the bigger painting as the ultimate masterpiece. Since it was the first Christmas without Paw Paw, I decided to drive over and spend the holiday with Maw Maw and my Louisiana family.
What a wonderful decision. The pace is just a tad slower here... the way its supposed to be I'm convinced. Being at my grandparents' house is "home" to me... and this trip was no different. Even with PawPaw in heaven. There is just something to be said for being home during the holidays.
We baked cookies, make the "dip", prepared the meal for Christmas day... then headed off to church with my Aunt Carol on Christmas Eve. What a wonderful day. Christmas was just as special. My Aunt Carol and Uncle David along with their spouses, and my Uncle David's kids joined us in celebrating Jesus' birthday. The house was filled with love, laughter, good food and drink, and just overall celebration. It was simply a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday. I'm so glad I went... my first "adult" Cajun Christmas.
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| Santa's Little Helpers - baking and cooking on Christmas Eve - getting ready for the family to come over!\ |
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| LOVE technology - we skyped with the Ohio family and watched them open gifts. Kam is showing off his new Saints jersey! |
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| My father... aka Santa. |
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| Sofia opening up presents... |
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| Marisa taking a little break from the gift opening... bottle time! |
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| MawMaw's tree |
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| My pumpkin cupcakes... dairy/gluten free - yummy! |
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| Skyping with the Leaches back in Orlando - opening their homemade Christmas ornaments! |
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| Table all set and ready for our guests |
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| No it wasn't even noon... but it was Christmas so who cares?! Candy Cane Martini |
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| My cousins - Allie and Amy - in Allie's new LSU snuggie |
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| Gift giving... such a fun time! |
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| Uncle David - VERY excited about his Moose Munch. |
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| Good ol' family fun |
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| MawMaw's new earmuffs for when she walks with Aunt Dixie |
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| Look at Uncle Jeff's face... his wife with a knife. Yikes! |
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| So much love in the room |
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| Matthew's gift from Paw Paw... |
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| Aunt Carol's calendar for Maw Maw - 2011 is 100% dedicated to PawPaw |
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| Shake What Your Mama Gave Ya!! |
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| Uncle David and his girls |
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| Amy & Aunt Marie |
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| Watching presents being opened... so much fun! |
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| The Leleaux clan |
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| Me and Maw Maw - Christmas Eve before the Children's Mass |
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| Me, MawMaw and Aunt Carol - Christmas Eve |
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