I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I am so lucky to have such a large close knit family within driving distance and one that is so very rich in tradition.
Today was my family’s Annual Christmas Caravan. Each year we create a caravan and travel to each family member’s house where we eat their food and “ewww & awww” at their Christmas decorations.
Usually this festive activity occurs the weekend before Christmas, but due to conflicting schedules it just happened this weekend worked out best for everyone. Keep in mind we didn’t visit every house in the area, but we did get a good amount in and I feel I have officially reached my sweets limit for the month. 
Lots of good food and lots of good photos to share!
This year’s caravan began at my cousin Mindy, her husband Woody and their son Travis’ house.
I had been up since 6:30 for god knows what reason, but was planning on waiting until the caravan started to eat. Needless to say when I walked into my cousin’s house at 9:30 my stomach was growling pretty loudly.
Luckily Mindy had put out a lovely display of great eats.
I made a small plate with a little bit of everything: fresh berries, a sausage ball, a sliver of Spinach quiche, and blueberry cake.
Mindy and Woody have a pool table in their back room that all my baby cousin’s found fascinating.
No need to waste gas – the next stop is only a hay ride away.
Can you seriously get any cuter than this?
And around and around they go!
My Aunt Carol and Uncle Bob were next!
Their kitchen was FULL of traditional goodies.
Wheat Thins with Salsa/ Cream Cheese Dip
Pepperoni Bread (I had 1/2 a slice)
Split Pea Soup
It was a little thin for my taste (I like split pea soup extra thick) so I only had 1/2 of my 1/2 filled mug.
And OF COURSE there were Congo Bars! 
I had one.
It was beginning to rain as we walked to the cars and I couldn’t resist snapping a photo of my two baby cousins sharing an umbrella.
Riley and Genieve are about the same distance in age as my sister and I. Having spent the majority of the day with them I can already see the same relationship I have with my sister blossoming between the two of them. I hope they realize how lucky they are to have each other.
Yes, they are biting their toe nails. Apparently its a hidden talent?
After a 45 minute drive we arrived at the next stop: My cousin Bobby, his wife Candice and their daughter Abbygail’s house.
I grabbed a cup of fruit filled punch
And filled my napkin was a samosa, pig in a blanket, and a cream puff.
I could have spent all day taking pictures of these girls.
Abbygail
Riley
Don’t worry – we’re halfway through!
Riley and Genieve’s House was up next!
They had plenty of Chili to share with everyone.
My cousin’s husband fries up his own tortilla strips to crumble on top.
My bowl
I’m not going to lie, I was getting pretty full by this point.
Luckily my cousin Jay and his wife Katrine’s house was short and sweet.
I was happy to see fruit on the table. I had a big help with 1/2 a cookie and a mini ice cream bar.
My Uncle Bill’s house rounded out the caravan.
(somehow I missed a shot of him in front of the tree 
)
Per tradition the final stop is where we celebrate December birthdays.
I had one of the mini cupcakes up front. My Uncle made all the cupcakes and icing from scratch, but I was just too full of sweets at this point to enjoy anything else.
Happy Birthday Abbygail, Bobby, Angel, and Riley!
Nom Nom Nom
Present time!!!
Sorry Maddie, but I think I may have found my new favorite photo subjects. My cousin’s little girls rock. Angel – I am willing to baby sit anytime!
Can you believe I took over 400 photos today?!?! I didn’t even post all of the ones I really liked, that post would have been far too long. Thanks for hanging with me on this one.
We wrapped up the caravan around 4:00 and around 7:00 I put together a fairly light dinner of Roasted Veggies and Marinara Sauce topped with Raisins and Almonds.
I wasn’t terribly hungry, but knew I had to eat something if I was planning on running 18 miles tomorrow morning!
Check out my morning schedule:
- 5:00 am – Wake Up
- 5:50 am – Meet Orlando Running Group and run 18 miles
- 9:45 am (ish) – Come home, eat, shower and load car
- 10:30 am – head to Caitlin’s
- 11:00 am – head to airport
- 12:50 pm – Flight takes off for St. Louis
Can I do it?!?!?! We shall see!!!!
Good Night!!!
{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
Aww, that looks like fun! I love holiday traditions.
christmas caravan looks like a fun, family event. seems a bit overwhelming, though! i would never have hung in there as well as you did…!
good luck on your 18 miles tomorrow!
What are congo bars? And those cupcakes look delicious, I’d have snatched one for later!
Your family has the best traditions hands done.
I’d love to here more on this congo bar
And major props to your uncle on those cupcakes!
have fun in STL! Let me know if you need directions
That is such an awesome idea!! I hope if my family lives close in the future, we can do something like that. Although we’re not super close with my cousins or aunts, maybe we can do it between me and my siblings
Your family is too cute for words!
Aww those girls are tooo cute! I love kids
Wow! What a beautiful family you have! It looks like everyone outdid them selves!
What a great tradition! And your cousins are adorable.
I have 3 comments on the recap: the girls learned their “talent” from their Daddy (haha), I have witnesses that you said you would babysit, and your cookies were sooo yummy! Love you!
I love your tight knit family! I wish my family lived nearby each other (sadly most of them live in a whole other country!)
Those congo bars look SOO delicous! I just googled a recipe
That looks like such a fun day and a fabulous family tradition. What a great Saturday!
You are seriously so lucky! What a beautiful tradition! Not to mention beautiful eats!
i have never heard of a christmas caravan before until now! it sounds like tons of fun
there was sooo much great food!
jenna
good luck with the run!! i think you can definitely do it
funny that both years you only had half of your split pea soup!
also – can you BEG your aunt for her congo bars recipe?! they look SO delicious every year!!
What a FUN family tradition! I love it!!
That looks like such an amazing and fun tradition! How fun! Im curious about the congo bars. Ive never heard of them but they look delicious! What kind are they? Good luck on your run tommorrow! It sounds great. Have a wonderful night!
Good luck with that schedule tomorrow. After 18 miles, I usually pass out on the couch!
That looks like so much fun! What a great tradition! That is so nice that you are close by to so much family
Good luck with the 18… you got it!!
I’m jealous of your close-knit family. Mine is all scattered around the country.
What an awesome time! You are lucky to have such a big family
I prefer my split pea soup thick as possible too.
Good luck with the long day tomorrow chicky!
What a fun day with your family. Everything looks so good! I want some pea soup, Salsa/ Cream Cheese Dip, and some of that blueberry cake. Your family seems like SO much fun
Gosh, love your closeness with your family! IT REALLY IS SUCH A BLESSING!
And youll kick it outta the park tomorrow!
Can i be an honorary family member next year??? It looks like such a great tradition not to mention so great looking eats.
What an awesome family tradition!!!!
I live a 5.5 hour plane ride away from my parents. My sister is further still. And my fiance’s family is about a 12 hour drive away. Good news is I’m flying to see my parents in Toronto for Christmas and I can’t wait!!!! ???
What a wonderful way to celebrate with family!!
WOW most adorable family ever!
such a cool tradition- I remember it from last year. So cool that you guys all live close enough to do this.
Those little girls are adorable- I loved the one of them biting my toenails cuz I used to do that when I was a kid– kinda embarrassing but super cute & good to know I wasn’t the only one
What a fun day!!! LOVE all of the pictures!
You have a wonderful family, and wonderful family traditions! I really envy you
Lucky girl
What a fun day!! I’m far away from my family right now, and I miss them so much. It makes me happy to see someone having such a great time with their family
I just bought the sweater you’re wearing! Cute!
Wow that looks like so much fun – love that pink cupcake display! Tight schedule tomorrow, but you can do it girl ; )
What beautiful pictures!! I love your family tradition!
i remember reading about your caravan last year and it seems like so much fun! i love hearing about other people’s holiday traditions!
and i just ran my 2nd marathon yesterday and cut my time by about 40 minutes..and i have to give you some of the credit!
i ran my 1st in marathon in march and told myself i was done with marathons (at 19 years old), but then when you decided to do your 2nd, i was like “if she can, i can!” so i was smarter about how i trained and was so inspired by you, Caitlin, and Meghann to make smarter food choices! So thanks! 
Good luck with the rest of your training, you’re going to rock that marathon out of the park!
What a fun thing to do with your family!!!
And i love the picture of your cousin’s girls…they are too cute!!!
Good luck with your 18 miler this morning
I’ve never heard of a Christmas Caravan, but I love the idea. Especially with all the great food involved.
Good luck with the 18 miler and be sure to let me know how your first work trip/conference goes.
Yippee – what a great family day! Good luck on that schedule! Pretty sure I just woke up by the time you finished 18 miles!
What a cute family tradition. I wish all of our family lived close enough to do this!
What a fun idea! We’ve got a lot of family locally, so we may make this a tradition, too!
I’d say your tradition is more “om nom nom and awwww”
This is too sweet! I’m so glad you had a great time!
What an awesome tradition! I love it! And I love your pictures! Happy Holidays!
What a wonderful post – thankyou for sharing! It looks like you all had such a great time – and I love the idea of that tradition…
That is a really neat holiday tradition! Hope the 18 miler went well today. If you are near Forest Park in St. Louis it is a great running spot (chilly this week though!) I can give other running suggestions for St. Louis if that’s helpful. Have a great trip!
wow that is one of the neatest things I have heard! I love this idea
Looks like so much fun! What a sweet holiday tradition!
Oh my goodness, what a super fun family tradition! I love it! And all of that fun looks so so yummy too! Glad you had a good time!
I looveeee big families and family traditions. Your family does it up right! Looks like so much fun