christmas eve blues

It is my first Christmas in Canada. It is my first christmas away from my family.  Right now my whole extended family is gathered at my uncles house, eating, drinking, exchanging gifts, and being completely rediculous.  I am sitting at my computer wishing I was with them.

For as long as I can remember, growing up I was usually more excited for Christmas eve than I was for Christmas day.  Every christmas eve was spent with my extended family, and every year it was the same, and always different. We'd always gather around for a big delicious dinner. We'd always exchange gifts.  We would always kill ourselves laughing over the hilarity of whatever game my Aunt came up with for us to play.  One year it was wheel of fortune, and she even made a miniture wheel for us to spin. Another year it was the price is right. We all had big yellow name tags and clapped and cheered when we were called to 'come on down!'.
Last years theme was a 50's sockhop. We ended the night my dancing to some quality 50's music. This years theme is a country hoedown, and I am so sad to be missing it. Apparently there will be square dancing. I can see all of my uncles, and male cousins rolling their eyes now. I can see my cousin Jeanie laughing her head off making sure that everybody participates in the rediculousness.

Christmas just doesn't feel like Christmas in Canada.
So for now I'm going to watch A Christmas Story and think about christmas in Indiana, and how my dad always laughs his head off when we watch it each christmas eve.