Presence and presents

Yesterday, Cas and I went to his mother's house for a Christmas celebration.  It was mostly a standard event with a meal and gifts, but there are a few different things about how the Dunlap family celebrates.  For starters, everybody gets a stocking.  I even got a stocking.  I figure it's because I am new, but mine didn't have my name embroidered on it.  Everybody else had an embroidered stocking. I get the distinct feeling that I will earn an embroidered stocking if I stick around until next year.

I haven't had a stocking hung by the fireplace since I was a little kid, so this was a bit of a throwback for me.  Cas apparently finds it amusing when a Christmas stocking has a pair of socks in it.  Socks in a sock.  The stockings had some other treats in them.  This is something they do every year.  We all sat down with a ham and some smoked turkey after that, and adjourned to the tree for an insane number of gifts.  I had brought a nice bottle of wine for Chad and Becky and another for Jeanne and Dave.  I got a very soft blanket for Zoey and I had one of Holly's fancy candles for Jeanne and Dave.  I walked out of there with quite a haul.

It seems Cas and I have been together long enough to warrant couple gifts.  From Jeanne and Dave, we got a night at a very fancy hotel.  From Chad and Becky, we had to participate in a scavenger hunt.  I was not warned about this, but Chad and Becky took it easy on us. We opened up a package together, an it held an ice cube tray.  That led us to the freezer, where a wrapped gift sat in the space next to the ice.  Inside that, we found a dish with water frozen in the bottom.  After melting the ice in the sink, we found a pass to an exhibit at that same hotel to something called Ice.  I have no idea what that is, but all reports are that it is very cool and I will love it.  I plan to. 

Today is Sunday, and apparently, my parents are on the mend.  They simultaneously came down with a pretty nasty bug.  I was contemplating skipping my standard Sunday visit if they were both still down for the count, but I talked to them yesterday on the phone after I parted ways with the Dunlap family, and they're on the road to recovery.  I think I will head to the house today and see the folks.  Danny and Laurie are in Arkansas having a celebration with her folks.  Our big day comes on a Wednesday this year.  Until then, Cas has firm plans to sleep for several days.  I don't blame him.  I kind of want to do the same.

Here is a photo from yesterday of him playing with his niece.  Cute kid.  Cute uncle.