Christmas & Philadelphia Road Trip

The fiancé is currently taking his step 2 while I sit in The University of Pennsylvania/Drexel chestnut street Starbucks writing this. It was difficult to leave the family at 4 in the afternoon on Christmas to come with him to new completely honest. This year at Christmas is was very obvious that traditions are beginning to change as my siblings and I get older. Of course I wanted one last Christmas at home-home in my own bed and own room. Sort of bitter sweet really. I was woke by my middle youngest brother at 8am. "It's Christmas Jess!? Get Up!" I gave him a "ugh" and rolled over for another 30 minutes until he came in again and threw my cat at me. Nice. He had driven from his now rented house about 15 minutes away for the ritual of Christmas morning gifts. My family consisting my dad, mom, said brother (Age 23) and other brother (age 20) opened our gifts. Mom likes to buy her Christmas gifts in China Town in New York City with her girlfriend on her annual "get away from the husbands" trip. I've told her time and time again that the prices on North Face hoodies, Tiffany's jewelry, designer sunglasses and bags are so good because they are not real. It has no effect. "But this one really is though" she says with a ruffled confused look on her face. I just have to shake my head and laugh. Whatever you say mom... After opening gifts at home-home we traveled to my dads moms house for breakfast and gifts. Grandma Joan is I believe 84 now and can't really get around too much. Ben, my youngest brother opened up a container of Hershey's kisses, I got a bookmark, and the best of all, Zachary got a first aid kit. I feel really bad for laughing but I chalk it up to memories being made. Haha. I can just hear us 10 years from now... Remember the time that grandma J got us band-aids for Christmas then won at Chinese checkers!? She also demanded that my cat make the trip. The next stop was Charlie's Grandma's house for more food. My grandma Bonnie's house was next. Grandma Bonnie is a fantastic seamstress and always hand sews gorgeous intricate keepsake stockings for all of us. I opened mine to find she had given me her mothers handkerchief with beautiful embroidery and the letter "E" for my soon to be maiden name to use as something old for my wedding day. Charlie and I headed over to his dads house for our final stop. His mom hit the "I want grand babies" hint HARD when she gave me red lingerie. All eyes were on my red face. Haha. Oh boy. Charlie and I left on that note toward Philadelphia. We stayed in the Sherridan hotel. OH MY GOSH the pillows!!! Haha It's the little things. I have a lot of time to think today about how life if changing before my eyes. Deep. My brother is about to get engaged (I can feel it) to a great gal. I'm moving away likely come June. Grandma Joan is getting older. I had so many stops this Christmas, now reflecting on the day is when I'm truly enjoying how crazy and beautiful the changes are. I better enjoy it while I can because I don't think we will ever have any Christmas quite the same. I smile.