Thursday night was good - loud and raucous, and full of people and cheer (in both liquid and human form). I was a little sad because all of the people were Kevin's people, and while they're awesome and I'm glad I get to borrow them, I don't have any people of my own. But then Shauna got off work early and came over, and that was better. Plus I got to talk lots with Kevin's sister, whom I LOVE. I want her to move home and be my friend. No, be my SISTER. His other sister didn't come over, because some people were smoking, and she's in no condition to be around that sort of thing. Sad!

Christmas Eve was spent sleeping off the party, and then wrapping presents and watching The Wall. Then we packed up the car and went 'cross town to his parents' place for their big holiday bash. They'd just renovated (when he moved out, they knocked out the wall between his bedroom and the living room and made it a big, beautiful den with laminate floors and archways), and it was their turn to host this year. Lots of food and people and food and music and food and even some presents. And food.

Someone brought their little boy, and I didn't cry, but I did catch my breath when his little hand rested on my thigh for a moment as he passed by. I even could laugh when he was being silly, and I was only slightly forlorn thinking about Ethan. I had a nice talk about him with a friend. It's really the first time I talked about him to anyone... I always sort of skirt around the issue. It was nice to talk and not cry. And she was so sweet about it.

When everyone left (after midnight or so), we geared down to open presents. Kev's parents went loopy with buying stuff again, but since next year they'll have a grandbaby to buy for, they swear this is the last year it's going to happen.

We had lots of laughs and joy and surprises. Kev's youngest sister pulled off a brilliant move: She bought Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for both Kevin and her boyfriend. She told her boyfriend about Kevin's and got him super jealous; and told Kevin about her boyfriend's and got HIM super jealous; and then she handed them both their presents at the same time. It was beautiful.

Then we cleaned up, came home and went to bed. It was close to 4am xmas morning by then. When Kevin and I got up, we made coffee (for him) and hot chocolate (for me), and exchanged presents.

When my parents come home, we'll exchange gifts and they're bringing me something from my younger brother, but it's not going to be much because everyone's money this year went into plane tickets for them. And that's entirely OK, because people have far too much stuff as it is.

So anyway, at kev's house, I was treated to:
- a new terrycloth bathrobe
- jammies, socks and undies
- lots of little treats and bath goodies in a stocking
- a pair of pants and a sweater and two tanks that all fit perfectly (his mom is a GENIUS)
- a watch
- a family to laugh with on Christmas

One of his sisters gave me a very cool pepper mill set, and the other made me a purse(!).

And Kev, while he was in the Philippines, got me:
- seasons one through eight of Friends on DVD, which is EXACTLY what I wanted.

Kevin's still asleep, so I think I'm going to go watch some of it right now.