Diamonds, Dresses & I Do's: Family Christmas 2011

This past weekend Mark and I packed up the kids and headed to Edmore to celebrate Christmas with his dad, step-mom, step-sister and twin step brothers, Cody and Bill, who lives in California and was on leave from the Navy. Nikki said this is the first time all 4 of them have been together in nearly 4 years, and this is also the first time I was able to meet Bill.

Because Dee had to work all weekend Nikki suggested that us 'kids' make dinner. On the menu: Chicken Bundles, home-made Mac 'N Cheese, rice and gravy.

Let me tell you, it can be so hard to cook in someone else's kitchen! It was only a matter of minutes before the quiet and organized kitchen turned into mass chaos. At one point there were 7 of us all running around the kitchen...looking for trash bags, big bowls to mix something in, yelling out we need more of an ingredient and to call (big) Mark to "please pick this up?" Thankfully Dee wasn't home, I am sure we would've driven her crazy! We managed to have it all cleaned up before she walked in the door.

I absolutely love and adore this family (all sides of Mark's family for that matter). This by far has to be one of my most favorite holiday memories as an adult.