I have a wonderful memory of Christmas with my grandfather. The whole family would gather at Papa and Nana's house on Christmas Eve. While the women prepared our evening meal, Papa would gather all us grandkids (I was the oldest) and take us for a drive through the city to look at all the festive Christmas decorations. We kids loved looking at all the fancy lights and displays. Papa would eventually stop at the one store that was still open and we would all get a steaming cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows foaming over the sides. Our drive always ended at the electric company which had a massive tree display that was the highlight of our trip, of course. Afterwards we headed back home where we pigged out on all the yummy food cooked by Mom, Nana, our Aunts, etc... After stuffing ourselves, we then bedded down anywhere we could find (kids in sleeping bags everywhere, LOL) and would fall asleep listening to Nana reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" in anticipation of Santa's visit that night. Christmas morning was always complete chaos! To this day, I can't drink hot chocolate or look at Christmas displays without thinking of my Papa. Sadly, we lost him to a heart attack  when I was 22. Nana is still alive and well. She is a wonderful great-grandmother to my boys.

Pam