Happy Christmas :)

Ever since my brothers and I became adults, our family never prepared much during Christmas Eve. Sometimes, it's because we don't have the luxury of time and energy to cook or even just buy something special. But most of the time, the reason was that we were rarely complete.

But this year, we just got the greatest news--- my brother Noel,who usually works during holidays, and my brother Albert who stays in a seminary in Baguio, would both be home for Christmas and New Year.

So even if we only had a simple Noche Buena and only had few gifts, the anticipation of being complete was more than enough to keep us smiling 'til January.

This was only part of the gifts and our Noche Buena, don't worry. :) 

And to cap off the night, we had a drinking session as a family. Mama had one glass of Black Label with Coke, I had two, while my brother finished everything that was left. 

By about 5 am in the morning on Christmas Day, Kuya Albert was already home. We woke up early to go to mass, went back home to welcome relatives and friends who came to visit us and then, we got ready for our Christmas dinner. 

Most of the restaurants were closed but luckily, Mesa, the modern Filipino-themed restaurant, was open! 

We had 7 different dishes, mostly seafood, rice and different drinks. It was such a sumptuous dinner that I didn't feel guilty that I ate too much! By the end of the night, we felt so warm, fuzzy and happy because we were so full. 

Hence, these crazy wacky photos. 

I am very thankful to God for letting me be a part of a family that fills my heart with so much joy and contentment. I am just amazed as to how they make a weekend seem like a long, crazy vacation. 

I love my family so much and I wouldn't ask for more. They're the best Christmas gift I have ever received. 

So I'd like to share the love I'm feeling right now. 

Merry, merry Christmas from our family to yours!