  This weekend just sparked the busyness that is Christmas week. The last few days were spent with graduations, graduation parties, and stupid family parties. Congrats to my bro-in-law, Paul, who successfully completed his studies at UNO. The graduation ceremony wasn't THAT bad... okay, it was a little long: 2 1/2 hours. The highlights, and I say this sarcastically, was the address by Sen. Landrieu and the 20 year-old PhD recepient. Yes, I said 20 years-old.
You do the math on that one. Saturday, Michelle's mother hosted a graduation party for Paul at her home. It was a pretty good time; we got the hang out and goof around. Next semester, I'll be back at the Lakefront Arena again to watch my husband Ted get his degree; we're already planning the extravaganza now! Today was the inevitable LeBlanc family Christmas party, which is held every year on the Sunday before Christmas. For those of you who do not know, this is Ted's mother's family; they're a pretty large bunch.
Every year, we see new and unidentifiable faces of cousins that Ted has never met. And of course, no one knows how to get along. Usually, we spend our time huddled in one group talking to only two or three people at the event. This year wasn't really any different. People came and ate food, then Grandma LeBlanc passed out her gifts to everyone (with the help of Santa). After she was done with her fair and balanced gift giving (she gives everyone the same thing pretty much), the other family members started passing around their gifts.
Some people were snubbed for gifts, feelings were hurt. Alas, this is all in a day's work for the LeBlanc Family Christmas party. Ted's mom will be the host in two years, so Ted and I look forward to trying to resolve some of the problems with the event. After today, thank God I only have to make it through Wednesday at work, because I sure am exhausted! In case this is my only post before December 25th, I hope everyone has a safe and merry Christmas! 
