The emphasis here is “meet the family” as I spent this holiday season with the lovely Anastasia. Tuesday I played chess and backgammon with Jess, then in the afternoon went shopping with Jules at the mall as she wanted to “shop” otherwise known as “wander around and look at pretty stuff but get jack all” then spent the evening watching movies.

On Christmas Eve Anastasia baked more pies and pinwheels, then we visited Jen and family to say Merry Christmas, deliver last presents and holiday hugs. Then to Jules’ place for delivery of presents and promise of pie to come. We did some last minute shopping for some of Anastasia’s cousins and I rang my family to wish them a Merry Christmas as it was Christmas in New Zealand. Anastasia and I then got ready and went to see the Spanish side of her family. Lots of little people and lots of food. Chatty older generations of people looking spiffy (including the thrice-changed Anastasia) along with bubbling younger cousins. I had fun (and some dizzy nausea) running around and spinning small children in circles. I made a stunning first impression on Anastasia’s cousin Vincent as I managed to trip up while carrying him. Eep! Luckily for me however he was with the rest of them demanding to be spun in circles some more moments later.

Christmas was initially spent lazing around and waiting for Chris to come over (but he didn’t show up). Then it was off to Anastasia’s great-grandmothers where we had chitchat and Christmas dinner eventually after mishaps in the kitchen and a landmass comparison between New Zealand and the state of Maine?! After lots of food and fun it was then off to Uncle Vince and Aunt Connie’s place to see little cousins Vincent and Trinity. Jokes, video games, open presents and declined food later, it was home briefly before going on a pie delivery run spreading “Christmas cheer”. After that we then went out and saw Paycheck before coming home.

During the days after Christmas, we did many things. One time while we were at AMC, Chris showed us around the back, the projection rooms and so on. Anastasia and I took pictures, had a barbeque and swim at Jess’ on Sunday. We’ve played video games, had a Lethal Weapon marathon and lazed about. All in all my Christmas season has been a lot like the rest of my vacation – a lot of relaxing punctuated by instances of fun and good cheer!