TGIFF (Thank God It's Festive Finale)

Tonight was a our fourth and final Christmas celebration. We had postponed the gathering with in-laws because boy No. 1 wasn't going to be in town until today. So you know what that means...

One more celebration means one more trifle! (Good thing I took today off.) This was a chocolate-candy cane concoction with layers of: chocolate cake, cheesecake pudding (with peppermint flavoring and red food coloring), crushed peppermint bark, and whipped cream. Yes, yum. But I am almost tired of eating rich foods.

Yes, I wrote that. Not a typo. Not a ghost writer filling in for Robyn.

Had a very nice get-together at Jim's sister Sherry's house. Their parents were there and all of our kids: Colin and wife Amy, Casey and girlfriend Emily, Clayton and girlfriend Becca, and Carter.

Took our annual cousins picture that we've done each Christmas since the boys were little. I think they're all done growing now so it will be a tie between Carter and cousin Colin when it comes to height. They're all tied for being the most adorable, of course!

After dinner, trifle and treats, we came back to our house so Casey and Emily could open their gifts. Their dog Rei (or Rae if spelled like my middle name) stayed kenneled in Carter's room while we were gone to Sherry's then we got to play with her for a bit.

She's a sweet grand-baby and very well-behaved. Especially since Sylvester was locked in our bedroom, sleeping and oblivious to the fact we were lovin' on a dog!

Since the "kids" just got an apartment, their gifts were more practical than fun this year.

But hey, they got what they wanted and needed. They had one more Christmas to do so had to hit the road around 8:30 p.m.

After they left, we played a game of 3 to 13. Just had to note that Carter finally won a game – one week and several games into his Christmas vacation. Well, yes, I came in last place tonight but I'm not bitter. Too much. It was just nice to hang out and wrap up our family festivities with some fun.

Tomorrow's festive forecast calls for relaxing with a chance of DVR'd Hallmark movies. Good day to stay inside!