Merry Christmas

 Mom and Dad joined us for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. We relaxed, over-ate, indulged in white chocolate peppermint tea along with a lot of other sweet treats and talked for hours. Games were played, stories read, and crafts completed. We enjoyed togetherness.

 This is Justin, Erin's boyfriend. He's a good guy. They appear to like each other.

Kate's year to read Twas the Night Before Christmas at bedtime. She has memorized the poem because it's her favorite.

Having Grandma and Grandpa here on Christmas morning significantly increases the appearance of spoiling! Santa brought our family a new trampoline and two sleds. Grandma and Grandpa were quite generous too.

This was the year I took over stocking duty. Kate was rather concerned I wouldn't manage as well as Santa but after checking out her surprises, she declared I wasn't too bad at it.

The teenagers were all up before Kate and Ty this year; we had to wake Ty! Once everything was opened, Makenna and Lauren crashed among their gifts for a bit.

Grandma bought Kate a little sewing machine for Christmas. It took us a few hours to get the machine to run properly but once Grandma and I had it working, Kate quickly took the reigns. She loves it and has already tried to teach Makenna how to use it but Makenna lacks the patience Kate exhibits.

This afternoon I took down the tree and restored the house to pre-Christmas order. Even the kids mentioned how much lighter the house felt; Makenna stating, "I can breathe". It must be in the DNA because I feel the same way. It was a good Christmas. We are so blessed but I am always ready to pack it away when it's over. Last Friday I heard Amy Grant's, "I Need a Silent Night" and wept. Tonight, I shall claim that silent night once Greg and Lauren return to work, Erin is out with Justin's family for the evening, Makenna spends the night with a friend celebrating a birthday and the little ones are tucked into bed. That silent night is more than welcomed.