12.19.2009: Christmas in Riverside Begins

So anyone that knows Mom & Dad's house at Chrstimas knows about the "stockings". We each have a handmade stocking that Mom had sewn together in unbelievable detail. These take her months to do because there are thousands of beads, thousands of pieces of string, felt, etc... But the family rule is that you can't get one till you are officially part of the family. So, in years past girlfriends and boyfriends of us kids only get traditional red stockings with their name in ribbon on them. So, mine was the first stocking made, years ago when I was little...and Mom adds a little bling here & there since it was pretty plain to start with. They keep getting fancier and fancier each year. She has added all the family members since. Andrew and Brianna got theirs when they were born...Alisa got hers after she married Brent. Anyways, everyone has one...except Vince, Drake and Nicole. Well, since Vince and I are married now....Vince and Drake get "real" stockings. This is a big deal :)

Unfortunately for Mom, she did not start sewing stockings in June! So, she had 2 to make in a very short couple weeks! Most would say that it was basically impossible...but not for Mom with her alien DNA that requires very little sleep! Haha (our inside joke about Mom and Dad's endless energy!!). Anyways the last couple times we had been to CA in Nov & Dec Drake was able to pick what he wanted his stocking to look like and immediately began pressuring her to make sure it was done by Christmas! So, in the week before we got there for Christmas, she pulled a few all-nighters to get it done. Yes, she is crazy! But if you knew Drake, you would want to get it done too!! :) First thing he asked when he got there....and guess what was hanging on the mantle, just in time! He was sooooooooo excited and soooooo proud to have his own special real stocking!! :) It was very special for him too....since he knew it was such a big deal to get it...and how hard it is to make them!!

The empty holder there was for Vince's....it wasn't done yet (soon to come)...but Drake's sure was!!