Saint Patrick's Day Savannah Year 2

St. Patrick's Day in Savannah is crazy. This year we had an estimated 1 million people in town to celebrate. Normally that would send me into a panic... okay I was sort of in a panic... but I really HATE crowds... anyways...


My best friend came into town along with Miguel's twin brother, Juan, Juan's girlfriend, Jessie, college friend, Jacob, and Jacob's fiancee, Katie. We did our fair share of contributing to the tourists =)

My bestie and me!

Friday night a bunch of our friends and their multiple house guests got together at our friend, Jason's, house. When Miguel and I pulled up to Jason's house this is what we were greeted with:

Friends on the roof

Such silliness! Miguel and I didn't climb up on the roof... but we got into the party spirit by wearing some green and a leprechaun hat. =) We didn't stay too late because I had to get up early the next morning...

One of the big draws here in Savannah is the St. Patrick's Day Parade. It's a lonnnnnng parade and in many ways feels very small town to me. The allure of parade isn't necessarily watching the parade, but more of the tailgating that goes hand-in-hand with it. This tailgating part of the equation is what had me waking up at 4:30 in the morning! People set up "tailgating" in the squares along the parade route. The squares don't "open" until a whistle is blown at 6:00 AM the day of the parade. This doesn't mean that people don't show up way before that to wait it out though... once that whistle is blown it is a full out race to get the coveted spots. People are nuts about it. Some have had their family "spot" for years, and will fight to make sure they retain that special location. I was determined to get a spot this year, especially since we had such a large party of people when you added all our friends up.  The night before Miguel and I parked one of our cars along the square we decided on. We packed it full of all our big items and non-perishable things we might need the next morning. This was such a great suggestion from a co-worker and Savannah native who has many St. Patrick's Day parades under her belt. It took a lot of pressure off of me to know that all I had to do the next morning was be dropped off (instead of fighting for street parking) and run to a spot. Though we thought we were prepared, the rush of the crowd running at 6 AM startled us a little bit and we were a little late to the game. We didn't end up with a spot along the street with good parade views, but we did claim a good section of the square. 

People setting up their tailgates at 6:00 AM

After Miguel dropped me off and helped me carry stuff out of the parked car, he headed to Jason's house to wake up friends and bring them and coffee back to me to wait it out till the parade started at 10.

A couple of hours before the parade started... getting busier!

I was so thankful for friends coming to keep me company! While we waited Miguel then headed back to our house to wake up our house guests and drag them out of bed to the parade. Miguel was so busy doing all that driving! He's the best!

We had a really fun time hanging out during the parade. We played corn hole, drinking games, and spent time with new and old friends! We didn't end up leaving till 3 in the afternoon... I was pretty sleepy. We all ended up taking naps when we got back to the house. But hey, that's why you visit Savannah on St. Patrick's Day right? To partake in the festivities? If you don't want to be in Savannah and enjoy the events that makes St. Patrick's Day here famous, then please don't come... stay home and go to bars in your own city ;)

Juan and his girl friend

Miguel enjoying spending time with Greg and Juan

I love how much the city gets into the holiday. Everywhere you looked there was green. You looked absolutely ridiculous if you weren't wearing green. I love themes and green is my favorite color... what a fun holiday!

Among the hundreds of thousands of visitors we had this weekend, we happened to set up our camp in the same square as my best friend's little brother, David!

Family love!

So much fun! I watched David grow up from diapers! Now he is starting medical school in the fall! I'm so glad we got to see him!

Look! He's wayyy taller than me now... still strange in some ways ;)

Like I previously said, I was pretty tired later that evening from being up so early, so I didn't want to do much Saturday night. After everyone eventually woke up from their naps, we headed to dinner and then I took Miguel and our guests downtown and then I came home and crashed into bed! Ahhh it felt so good! You know that feeling when all you want to do is shut your eyes and have a heavy, deep sleep? Mmmmm... =)

All in all I had a pretty good St. Patrick's Day... huge crowds and all! And I feel better prepared for next year! Bring on round three, Savannah! One of these years will have St. Patrick's Day here nailed down!

Amador Christmas

Like I previously said, Miguel and I are blessed to have both of our families live in the same city so we are able to spend time during the holidays with both families. Each Christmas Eve we celebrate with Miguel's family. The Amadors love hosting and are so generous. We eat Cuban food and enjoy each other's company. This year they had a total of 20 people over including all my brother-in-laws and their girlfriends, their girlfriend's families, close family friends, and my parents!

My in-laws, Pedro and Teresa, and Brian and Lauretta Kloer

Brothers! Adrian, Juan, Andy, and Miguel

Jessie, me, and Leah... missing Kristyn!

This year Teresa started a new tradition of each guest signing a Christmas tree ornament to document who was there. Love this! 

There were so many people at the Amadors that we had to eat in three separate rooms! The ten parents ate in the dining room, six of us ate in the living room, and four in the kitchen. Each table was beautifully set! Check them out below! 

One of my absolute favorite Amador traditions is having Pedro's espresso after dinner. SO good!!!!

We also ate some wonderfully delicious desserts including truffle and a caramel cake that Leah and her mom made. Ohhh looking at this picture makes me want to eat some right now.....!!

After we ate and everyone left we opened gifts. It's a late night so technically we really did celebrate Christmas on Christmas day. We were sleepy but I don't mind staying up late for Christmas ;) The dogs, however, had a harder time staying up. 

Well, Emma stayed up to watch all the unwrapping... 

 I love those dimples!

Juan gave all his brothers matching shirts so that they could take a picture together to fill a frame he gave his mom. Aren't they cute?!?

The theme of the night seemed to be shoes! Adrian got some snow shoes (he lives in Wisconsin), Juan received some new boots, Miguel got some new running shoes, and I got some really comfy slipper socks!

Adrian's snow shoes

Juan's new shoes vs his old shoes... yeah I'd say it was time for some new ones!

Miguel's running shoes

My cozy and more importantly, pink, socks!

I just have to share how my socks came wrapped...

Thanks, Andy! I love them!

And in the spirit of shoes... maybe next Christmas I'll get Andy some dress socks... ;)

We got totally spoiled at the Amadors! One of my favorite things we got was a new wide angle lens! You can see what a difference it makes below! I took two pictures standing in the same place. The first shot is of our living room (don't judge the hodgepodge of furniture) with the normal lens and the second one is with the wide angle lens! 

What a wonderful Christmas! Thanks for the great traditions and love, Pedro and Teresa! 

Leeper Christmas

I love being part of two families! We are so blessed be able to spend time with both the Leeper side and the Amador side during each holiday. But Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without spending Christmas morning at my parents' house! When I was a kid my sister and I used to wake each other up and run downstairs to see what Santa brought us during the night. Since my sister isn't able to come home each Christmas these days and since so much has changed now that we're older, I'm holding onto every other Christmas tradition I still can!

My mom's Christmas tree full of fun family memories

Family stockings all hung in a row

One tradition we've still been able to keep over the years is having Monkey Bread for breakfast! So yummy! But the tradition has changed a bit from my childhood... now I'm helping to make it! =) 

Making Monkey Bread in my PJs

As a 'rule' the 'kids' have to wear pajamas on Christmas morning! I think I will always open my presents from Santa in my pajamas (and no, I don't plan on outgrowing Santa either)! Miguel's pajamas were extra special this year! Miguel's brother, Juan, gave him some Mario pajama pants and matching Mario shirt for Christmas and Miguel has worn them every night since. No seriously. Every. Night. Since. =)

Awesome. Just so awesome.

After we open our stockings we take turns opening our gifts to each other while we snack on Monkey Bread and sip our coffee.  Miguel and I gave my mom a season of Glee and a keyboard/docking station for her iPad. We gave my dad some sound eliminating headphones and I made him a book telling him why he is my hero. 

Yay for Glee!

Miguel showing my mom how to use the iPad thing we got her... I say "we got her" but of course Miguel picked it out!

Dad testing out his headphones

My parents are so generous! Some of our favorite gifts included a Keurig coffee maker and some tools for Miguel! But hands down the best gift given and the best reaction of this whole Christmas came when Miguel opened a gift from my parents. During our family vacation this summer Miguel started reading an autobiography by Eisenhower that was in the house we rented. We teased Miguel the whole week we were in Montana because that book went everywhere with us. It was really cute. Like a little kid and his blankie. Miguel was so sad to have to leave it behind when we came home to Savannah. Well my mom remembered that book and purchased a copy for Miguel. He was so genuinely surprised and pleased. It was so fun to see how happy Miguel was when he opened the book! Especially since he's not one to really show much emotion when he opens gifts. He even hugged it!

The only gift I got a picture with was a surprise gift that my best friend, Sarah, left for me under the tree. She thoughtfully gave me a cupcake holder and I can't wait to use it the next time we entertain!

Thanks, Sarah!!!

After we open gifts from each other we clean up a bit, change out of our PJs and get everything ready for Christmas supper. Which of course, in the South, means eating around 2 PM. Though this year I cannot take any of the credit for getting supper ready. I completely passed out in a wonderful, deep nap until we ate. I was extremely exhausted from our late Christmas Eve celebrations from the night before at the Amadors (blog post coming soon). So snaps to my talented mother. She always makes such beautiful table settings and meals.

My beautiful mom and our yummy Christmas supper.

Thanks, Gramma, for the yummy deviled eggs... wouldn't be a family holiday without them

Yay for Christmas plates and sparkly chargers!

My Uncle Peter, Gramma, Mom, Linda, Daddy, and Miguel

One of the BEST Christmas traditions we have is signing the table cloth each year. We sign our names, sometimes write a little something that marks that year as special, and date it. I love looking back and seeing who dined each year and the momentous occasions that have come and gone. 

Four very special signatures were missing this year =(

After eating we exchange more gifts while we digest so we can eat some delicious desserts. My Uncle Peter and Linda give the most thoughtful and yummy gifts! So wonderful that we don't want to share with each other. My Grandma was especially unwilling to share her homemade cheese straws!

Of course we badly missed my sister, Sarah, and brother-in-law, Jared!!! It just isn't the same without them! I'm so thankful for all the technology we have access to these days because we were still able to chat with them via the internet. Not even close to having them here though! We got to see Baby Ray's nursery and their kitties, Milo (who is 17 lbs!) and Busby (who was less than pleased to be wearing holiday antlers)  ;)

Hi, Sarah!

You know you had a satisfying Christmas when you find this on the couch after everyone else has left and things have been put away:

Night, night, Miguel.

As far as the dogs, Luke's Christmas was pretty much the same as last years, Bailey participated in opening gifts, and Emma and Jack were locked up in our room just to lessen the chaos! But every dog got a Christmas, candy cane bone in the end! 

 

Love, love, love Christmas at my parent's! This Christmas holiday was just way too short, that is my only complaint! Thanks Mom and Dad for always making it so special!