Home to the 15th annuel DeLong Christmas Party

So, yesterday I moved out of my dorm room. I had my last final (Art History) and then packed up the car and headed home. I don't think its really set in yet that I'm not going to be back at Westmont for school for another eight months.
The drive home was pretty relaxing. My mom and I got a lot of time to talk, when we weren't being called by our various family members. Gary called a few times, Kaite talked to us, Betsy called once and then Justin. All to find out the same thing too: when we were going to be back. Justin had one of the best conversations though. He called my mom and then after chatting with her, requested to talk to me. He was on his way home from work, sitting in traffic, so I think he was bored. I chatted with him for a second about hanging out when I got home and then I start trying to say goodbye and get off the phone. I go "Okay, well, I'll see you soon Justin."
"Wait, Danielle."
"Yes?"
"I just wanted to tell you that I've decided my fourth, no third female child will be named after you. It's a pretty name and it would be really special and mean a lot."
My response was "Have you been drinking?" haha
He pretended to be offended and denied it, so I go "Okay, Justin. That's really nice to know."
"Yeah, and I know that you'll name one of your kids after me too."
"Um, okay..."
He is such a dork...funny though.

The next day, was the day of our annual huge Christmas party. Yes, the picture below is the front of my house...the inside is decked out accordingly. It's ridiculous. My aunt Julie came in from Utah so that she could drive back with Justin the next day so he didn't have to make the drive alone, so that was fun to have them at the party so I didn't have to stand awkwardly talking to a million people I don't really know. It was raining pretty hard that night, so we had to put up tarps in the backyard and get some outdoor heaters going. It's really that many people that we can't fit them all in our house. Anyway, during the party, the tarp on the top of the lattice porch broke and a huge waterfall dumped a bunch of water in the middle of the party. So hilarious! Luckily no one was standing there at that moment. Another slightly entertaining thing was one of our neighbors came up and began chatting with me. I couldn't remember who she was for the life of me, or else I would have introduced Justin, who was standing next to me. Finally she asks "So, is this your significant other?" "No, this is my cousin Justin" It was really loud in there though, so I'm not sure she got that he was my cousin, which was great because when she said she lived down the street he told her that he was living at my house. Now I'm pretty sure she thinks my boyfriend is living with my family...great. haha
After she walked away, Justin turns to me and goes "We should just go with it sometime and tell people we are engaged, see if we get any gifts or money."
My mom then walks up and goes "Good idea! I'll totally play along and say things like 'I'm so happy for you guys'. These political people are bound to give you something."
Oh, man...gotta love my family.
The party was eventually over and then we got to clean up...but at least we all got to eat some good leftover desert. Oh, man...until next year then.