This year’s holiday plans brought us to New Jersey to spend Thursday through Sunday with the Serpico family. We celebrated with my family the Sunday before. It’s funny, getting used to divvying up the holidays between all of our respective family units.

I love going to New Jersey. Mama Serpico stuffs us with food, we lounge, we take long walks, we nap. I always feel so rested and restored after a trip there. I got four nights of uninterrupted, 9+ hours of sleep, I didn’t think about work, I didn’t sit at a computer all day, I didn’t worry about anything, I barely even thought about anything but happy holiday joy.

We got many generous gifts and stuffed ourselves silly. The best thing though was just being happy and warm and surrounded by my soon-to-be new family.

My favorite gift this year was a pearl bracelet my grandmother gave me. They are the pearls she wore on her wedding day. It was one of the most touching and thoughtful gifts I have ever received. I’ve not taken it off since I got it, I just love it. I can’t wait to wear it on my wedding day.

Merry Christmas everyone!