I'm leaving work (here) in about an hour with my wife. We'll pick up the kids at daycare and drive the 5 hours to my in-laws. Here I will spend 6 days with her family.
Her father is a nice guy but opinionated and controlling. My wife idolizes him though.
Her mother is a fruitcake and barely functional. She is virtually afraid to even leave town and doesn't even know how to do things like pump gas.
Her sister is, well ... bright, funny, clever, creative, athletic, determined, spiritual, and beautiful. ... So she's okay. :uhoh:
Christmas morning we get up early and open our stockings and presents with the immediate family.
Then we get ready and go to my wife's grandparents. There we meet up with the uncles. aunts, and first cousins. We have a big breakfast cooked by her grandma and open more gifts.
Later in the day we drive an hour or so to her great-grandfather's house. here we meet up with all of the people who got together at her grandparents in addition to better than a dozen extended relatives. We have Christmas dinner and open yet more gifts.
In one day I will see approximately 60 people, not counting neighbors who drop in to say hi and give presents.
This is very different coming from a life where I only knew 3 people in my family (and 2 of them lived in my house). Christmas would often pass without so much as a "Merry Christmas" let alone seeing a tree or a gift.
The family ties of my wife is amazing. ... So is their wealth. I used to be surprised when I saw any gift at all; my wife's grandparents gave their son a BMW and my kids $1,000 last year.
It's overwhelming. I think I need some Zanex! :wink:
So what about you guys?