Happy Holidays

We had such a great holiday season. I was able to take a lot of time off of work between Christmas & New Years and I think I enjoyed being a "stay-at-home wifey" a little too much! I truly enjoy the day time at home...free to do whatever I please ::back to reality::

We had a wonderful Christmas, mostly spent with our family and friends. Cardy's brother and his family came in from Reno. We miss these guys so much and always enjoy their visits. Cardy and I are fortunate to have parents that live in such close proximity to each other (within a block, really). It makes it so convenient to jump back & forth between houses. On Christmas day we met at my parent's first for presents and breakfast. A tradition in the Swan household is to eat fish with our breakfast. Yes, we prepare eggs, ham, toast, and coffee just like any normal meal but on Christmas day my dad makes us eat Finnin Haddie. It's a fish. I don't know where this tradition comes from or why we continue it each year, but none the less, we eat it and nod our heads as if we're enjoying it (hey...it's tradition). I googled the old fish this year, because after 28 years of eating it, my curiosity got the best of me. Here's what I found: it's a Scottish fish, smoked Haddock to be exact. Why it's typically only found at Christmas time is still a mystery to me.

Next we met at Cardy's parent's to meet up with all of his brothers and sisters and their families. This is our first Christmas without Cardy's dad. I wasn't sure how Cardy was going to feel or what sadness the day might bring without Fernando. To my surprise, Cardy was well and Fernando's spirit filled the house. At dinner we toasted in his honor and celebrated Godina style with a bowl of pozole, tamales and tostadas.

Cardy and I are so blessed to have such wonderful families!