For the first time in many years, my family spent Christmas Day together. Mom and I opened up gifts first thing in the morning.

I am so lucky and glad that she knows me so well. While she didn’t get the exact things I asked for, she went above and beyond and got better. She was surprised I got her so many gifts.

It was a practical Christmas; getting things for each other we knew we could use. A couple things we got each other the other gets to use too.

Later in the day, more family came over and opened more present. Mom and I made dinner. It was fun making new dishes and some classics too. On our menu, we had BBQ pork sliders on Hawaiian rolls, mac and cheese, green beans with bacon and deviled eggs. Everyone dug in and enjoyed!

We all watched as the kitties all played with the wrapping and boxes. Pippin grabbed one of his new toys and brought it for us to see, but not touch of course. He is very possessive of his toys since when we get ahold of them we humans throw them.

-Cassidy