Feliz Navidad KnowsItAll!

Christmas 2005 will be remembered as my first Christmas with my in-Laws, the year we were up to our eyeballs in wedding planning, and J's brother and his wife were expecting the first grandbaby. It was SO HARD to not be at home with my family, but my new family are really fun and welcoming, so it could have been worse.

We drove to Nogales on Saturday morning. Luckily, the mail came first and delivered J a spice rack from my mom. I love that she buys him kitchen gear for every gift. We drove to Nogales and were met by his mom who had made a table full of desserts. Yes, that wedding dress may have to be let out a bit. My mother-in-law is a goddess of all things sweet. Her specialties are lemon squares and flan. I ate brownies, and fudge, and lemon squares. Oh good lord! But then there was machaca, homemade beans, fresh hot tortillas, and rice. Keep it comin'!

We went and visited J's god-daughter and her family. They literally have a 14 foot Christmas tree. It's as big as ones in the mall. It's kind of crazy. They gave me fuzzy pajamas, and little Victoria, who speaks a mix of Spanish, English, and Jibberish, danced and danced. She yells "baila" and wiggles around. This year she broke her leg, so she is barely out of her cast and she is loving every minute of her mobility. I love that her Spanish and mine are so compatible.

Then we went to Christmas Eve festivities. J's mom and grandma, and a bunch of other relatives proceeded to drink themselves silly. There were shots and shots of tequila. AT midnight, those who could stand went to Church. Me and J went to the room and to bed, since we had more visiting to do in the a.m. J's mom drank herself sick and had a monster hangover yesterday.

Christmas morning was pancake room service. Since it was Christmas, we splurged on room service and I realize that room service is so worth the money. I loved it. Even if only a few hours earlier I had puked from all the extra spicy foods....at 5 a.m. Christmas morning, I was on the floor of the "Esplendor" Resort purging all that Christmas goodness.

Next we went to Mama Lucia's. J's grandma's. Before we even sat down, plates of food were served up. Tamales, potatoes and menudo. I did not eat menudo. I will not eat it with a fox, I will not eat it in a box. She was understanding. Gringos rarely go for the spicy soup made with tripe (stomach intestine).

From there, back to J's moms where I had treats. ANd more treats. I got some gifts, and then we went to dinner. Turker, ham, the whole works. And then cakes and pies, and flan. I love Mexican Christmas. At this dinner, there were 22 kids, and a total of 54 people. But it was really nice.

There was no drama, it was all peaceful and nice. I really envy a family that can do that. I am grateful I can be joining one.

We came home with Mama Lucia's tamales, and mom's lemon squares and fudge. It's very hard to keep myself under control here.

I missed my family so much though. Oh well, 19 days to their arrival for the big day! I am hopeful that this next year will be as good as this one was.

Hope all of you had a wonderful holiday!