Nopsi's Family Christmas and Celebration in the Oaks

Nopsi's family holiday gathering was held on the usual Sunday before Christmas. And since Aunt Dawn moved from Orlando to New Orleans earlier this year, her siblings made her host. It was a bit cramped in her condo by the lakefront marina, but we were all together and that's what mattered. Plus, there was no shortage of yummy food.

The next evening Nopsi and Nola picked up me, the boys, Erin, Kate, and Luke. We met Jeff and Kel-Kel for dinner at Azul (to which we will not go back) and then headed to Celebration in the Oaks in City Park. Kenny and Grandma met us there.

Two days before Christmas and the park was PACKED. There were SO many people. We had pre-purchased entry tickets as well as train tickets, but the line for the train was super long, so we moved on to the little model trains and the light displays. There were a few new things this year: Kenny and I especially liked the "proposal" area, and everyone agreed that the 12 Yats of Christmas display was awesome.

After just over an hour, Erin and Jeff decided they were done. The line for the train was even longer than it had been when we arrived, so they decided not to use their tickets. Rory really wanted to stay, though, so I stood in line for an hour while Kenny and Grandma walked around with the boys to kill some time. Then the five of us got our train ride. We collectively decided it had been worth it.

Christmas Eve and Day were next!