Somewhere between moving and remodeling, The Christmas Extravaganza Happened...

One week after we moved into our new home Christmas came and went like a whirlwind. The year 2010 meant it was time for another Metcalf/Lutfi/Miller/Daniels reunion. By chance, we all got together in 1990 where my dad's cousins, Greg and Alex, played airplane Barbie with me and Legos with Joey. It was also the year we received knitted hats from Grandma Ruth and cat or dragon sweatshirts for the girls and boys respectively. Then 2000 rolled around and we all got together again. Except for this time, Joey, Erin, and I were not the young ones in group. Greg had gotten married to Suzanne and they had 2 kids with a third on the way. My Aunt Toni/Uncle Dave Metcalf and Aunt Elizabeth/Uncle Dave Miller each had on baby boy. My Grandpa Joe was still around and it was a wonderful Christmas. We had gravity defying pancakes, a beautiful Christmas, and we Metcalf children got to see our friends the Rawsons who live nearby.

Of course in 2010, we all had to get together yet again. However, it began with a reminder during the 2009 Thanksgiving. I put the idea into everyone's head that we all needed to see each other as it was about to be 10 years, and it was kinda becoming a family tradition. Some how, it all played out well. We had so much fun. The 26 of us for a Christmas whirlwind: my mom and dad, Joey, Erin, Julia, me, Michael, Grandma Ruth, Aunt Toni, Uncle Dave, Jack, Sam, Maggie, Aunt Elizabeth, Uncle Pat, Aaron, Caroline, Nathan, Uncle Aaron, Aunt Judy, Alex, Greg, Susanne, Haley, Owen, Charlotte, and Maya.

The weekend began when my siblings and parents arrived in DC on the 23rd. My siblings and Julia (Joey's girlfriend who really should be part of the family now...) stayed here with Michael and me. That night we made the family drink called Thompson's Cure. Started off the weekend great! On the 24th, we opened presents except the ones from Santa of course. That night the first 26 person gathering began at Maggiano's. It was a blast! Family stories were told, the food was wonderful, and it was a perfect start to the whole weekend.

Christmas day was the busiest Christmas day I have ever experienced in my life! My siblings, Michael, and Julia would agree! I mean, we've taken hikes on Christmas but those were between a few naps and waited until 1 o'clock in the afternoon to open Christmas presents because my dad was on-call, but those were tame years compared to this. It's a tradition in the family to have a pancake breakfast. So, all 26 gathered at my Aunt Elizabeth's for a wonderful meal. My father dressed up in his usual Christmas insane outfit that I love! Greg and Suzanne brought Nerf guns for the younger cousins for a fantastic Nerf gun war in the backyard. After that feast, we had 3 hours to get ready for and drive to the Army and Navy Club for Christmas Brunch. The meal was wonderful. We had a back room all to ourselves and looked quite dapper if I do say so. We then returned to my grandmother's for family Christmas presents for the young ones and White Elephant/Nasty Christmas/Yankee Swap for the adults. It was a wonderful evening! I never knew that Christmas Day could be that full, but it was so much fun.

I think in a few years we are all going to go out to CA for an LA Christmas because as Owen said, "We really shouldn't wait ten years before seeing each other again!" I couldn't agree more.