Today we are at my parents' house enjoying a dozen cousins, picking up pecans, visiting with some of my childhood friends and stuffing ourselves on homemade Chex mix. 
Our families are somewhat of a study in contrasts. The Scotts are a small family of lifelong Atlantans. My mother-in-law is an only child whose parents are both deceased. My father-in-law's only sibling passed away thirteen years ago. My husband's only sibling lives in Maine and is therefore rarely in town for holidays. Celebrations are intimate and formal. Nana's dinner dessert party is served on china and silver from her 23rd story condo overlooking the Atlanta skyline. (The phrase "bulls in a china shop" has never been more appropriate...except my little bulls were hyped up on sugar and Christmas!)
In contrast, my family is large, boisterous and very casual. Celebrations are noisy and denim-clad. My mom is one of six children. Even though much of the family is scattered throughout the US, there is still a large contingent nearby. Over 40 will gather tonight at Grandmama's house for a potluck supper. When gifts are distributed, the dozen children in attendance will rip into their packages simultaneously with reckless abandon. The adults will draw numbers and exchange gag gifts.
As different as our families seem in their traditions, there are an equal number of similarities. Daddy & I both are blessed to come from intact, first-marriage homes (a combined 75 years of marriage). We each have one sibling, each of who have three children of their own. And as our children scurry about--whether in small-town Alabama or metropolitan Atlanta-- they are comfortable in the fact that they (and we) are deeply loved.
5 comments:
I love the picture of you all with Randi and Parks and Wyatt. What a great picture. I adore reading both your blogs. Merry Christmas!
What a great post. You have such a way with words.
Love,
Aunt Boo
ps. I hope Santa is good to everyone!!!!
Thanks for checking in on The Erickson 5! Merry Christmas and to answer your question...yes, my kids are crazy with the excitement of the Holidays. This has been the best year yet!
Enjoy your Christmas!
Nicole
I hope you all have a great Christmas...it looks like you already are :)!
We spent the evening with Jeff's family yesterday and will spend tonight with mine. Tomorrow, we will be stingy with our time and stay home..just the five of us. If anyone wants to see us, they will have to come here :).
Have a great time!!!!!
sounds like great family time! such a cute photo of you and randi with your triplets and her twins...how fun!
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