It's earlier than Girl usually gets up. She goes in and wakes up Mom and Dad and doesn't go downstairs without them. I think this is weird, she usually is the last to get up, and I usually am the one to wake her. Mom heads downstairs ahead of all of us and puts things in these giant socks that are by the fireplace. I get yelled at if I try to bite, chew or tear down these socks.
Dad and Girl join us downstairs and Girl methodically unloads the sock. She is excited about its contents, and keeps thanking this Santa person... does she not realize Mom put it all there?
Eventually the sock festivities end and Dad heads out on a run. Mom, Girl and I make cinnamon rolls and watch "Arthur's Perfect Christmas." Now, I have never gotten to eat a cinnamon roll. I find that despite my best behavior, Mom and Girl will never be gracious enough to allow me a bite. But, man, do they smell good! I spent the entire time they are cooking sniffing around the kitchen in hopes of them dropping some. They don't.
After they are done watching and eating, sisters and the boys come over. I call them Navy and Zuzu and Crash and Mumbz. I like this because Navy will pet me forever and they are all always so happy to see each other and me! They bring many packages with them, big and small, all wrapped in this foil-like material. They have labels on them, and I don't usually get much, but they let me play with the paper and that is almost better. They proceed to oohing and ahhing over everything they open, while Dad rolls his eyes at the noises the girls make.
Eventually the paper tearing, noise-making, and laughter subsides and Girl heads upstairs to get ready. Zuzu heads to the kitchen to help Mom bring out all of the food and everybody else heads downstairs to sit by the fire with Dad.
Next thing I know the house is packed. There are tons more people, many of who smell familiar to me, but who's names I don't remember. Except Grandma. She's one of my favorites. When she stayed at our house while my people were gone, she left all of her snacks on the counter—you know, for me to eat! It was the best weekend ever. Because we had that bonding time, I know that if I sit next to her, she'll pet me forever. It is the absolute best because she's not very tall so I don't have to stretch to sit by her like I do with Navy.
Everyone greets me like I am something special and it makes me so happy. Sometimes there is a little white dog that comes over, he doesn't seem to like me very much and everyone usually holds him so we don't get much of a chance to play. But that's okay—I'm more of a people dog anyways.
As the day goes on I am able to snag many different snacks. There are many different people who don't realize how smart I am! I can jump and sniff the same as when I was a young pup so I get many different snacks throughout the day, and yelled at occasionally. They eventually open gifts, just like we did earlier. I thoroughly enjoy this part of the day because there is so much foil paper for me to play with and many different bows and ribbons get put in my hair.
Eventually, all of the extended family leaves and it's back to just Mom, Dad, Girl, sisters and the boys. We clean up, and I usually get lots of cheese out of this. Then we all settle into the living room. Girl sits next to me on the floor and lets me snuggle up with her. Everyone else sits on a couch or in the chair and we play games. They tend to get very competitive playing these games so the room erupts quickly into organized and fun chaos.
The evening comes to a close, and sisters and the boys leave. Dad builds us a fire, and Girl and I settle in downstairs for a movie. I curl up next to her on the couch as she gently scratches between my ears. I fall asleep and I don't dream at all because there is nothing that could beat a day with my family.
