A Very Merry Christmas

It is hard to believe that Christmas is already done. After the mad sprint of shopping, cooking, cleaning and decorating it is all over. :-( Always sort of a let down.

We had a lovely Christmas once again this year. On Christmas Eve we hosted Bill's family for the annual family get together. 18 relatives plus the four of us, ate, drank and celebrated late into the evening. I think everyone had a nice time.

Christmas morning came early after the late night. Bill had to work this year but had arranged for another fire fighter to stay late so that he could see the kids get their Santa gifts, stockings and open their presents from us. Believe it or not at 8:15 both were still sound asleep and we somewhat reluctantly woke them. Santa didn't disappoint as he gave Ryan two more Lego sets to nearly complete his Mars Mission collection and Anna was the proud recipient of "Julie" the latest American Girl doll. Since opening her she has been a constant companion of Anna's. Very cute indeed.

My parents and Aunt arrived in the early afternoon of Christmas Day. We had a lazy day with lots of snacks, gift opening and then a dinner of prime rib. Ryan received a big surprise for a gift from my parents - a digital camera. He was so busy learning how to use it and then applying all he learned that he burned through one set of batteries that day!

Bill and I had agreed to not buy gifts for one another this year given the Disney trip in October, the economy and truly a lack of needing anything. But I think it only reminded us that gifts don't make the holiday and truly it isn't what it is all about. The true meaning of Christmas remains in our hearts and minds and that is by far the greatest gift of all.

Hope you had a very Merry Christmas!