Merry Christmas, Part 1

Sunday afternoon was Christmas, Scene 1, at our house. My sister-in-law, Beth, brought two of her daughters, Shevaughn and Becky, to Mount Vernon. (My other niece, Megan and her son, Aron, live in Texas and couldn't make the trip this year.) (Becky's son, Charlie, and his girlfriend, Bobbi Jo, stayed home to nurse the sick, Leland, who is only 3 months.) Liz had arrived Saturday evening, and Jessica and David Riley (who live 5 minutes away), and my other adopted son, John, and his wife, Mistie, were already at the house. My brother, Paul, and his wife, Jean, came in a few minutes after Beth and the girls. So, including Mom, Ross (aka the Wonder Husband), and I, we had a FULL house!!! Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that Mistie and John brought the granddog, Buster, to have play time with Sparky (they love to chase each other at top speed through the house and the back yard).

We ate, we played our Christmas gift game, and we talked, and cried, and talked some more. All of the family had worked together to create a memory book of Bob for my sister-in-law, Beth. That was quite the emotional time! Beth loved the memory book, and she was very surprised. She said she knew something was up, but she couldn't seem to get anybody to break the silence.

Our Christmas game is a little different than most families play, because usually there are a few gifts that are specific to certain people. For example, the Wonder Husband, loves "The Far Side" and "Dilbert", so usually someone buys a desk calendar of one or the other--the trick being trying to make sure that when Ross picks a gift, he either picks the right one or that he steals it from someone. My mother loves John Wayne movies, but trying to get her to pick the right package is futile, so we have to make sure that whoever gets the movies knows that they have to trade Mom so that she winds up with them! So, even though we draw numbers to choose gifts, it is really a rigged game. But so much FUN!

Last night, after church, Liz, Ross, Mom and I went driving around Mount Vernon looking at Christmas decorations. (One of those traditions that started when the girls were very young--"Christmas lights, How Pretty") Then we came home, got into comfy clothes and the Wonder Husband read Luke 2, and "Twas the Night Before Christmas" (complete with British accent). Now, normally, after those two readings our family calls it a night, however, Liz decided that since Christmas morning was just going to be 4 adults, why not open gifts Christmas Eve and then sleep in??? Everyone agreed to break tradition for this year. However, the only ones still sleeping?? MOM and LIZ!!! My alarm went off to remind me to take care of Cocoa, and then Ross gave me the choice of him taking care of the dog this a.m. or p.m.--I chose to let him this a.m., because this afternoon we will be at his brother's and sometimes it's easier for me to get away for a few minutes than it is for him. So--Ross and I are both wide awake.

In an hour or so, I will start making Teddy Bear pancakes and bacon, for our traditional breakfast, and then I have to make a Texas sheetcake to take to Steve's house.

I love the family part of Christmas, so much. Actually, I just love family get-togethers for any reason at all!!!

Well, hope so far that you all have had a wonderful Christmas. Talk to you later on.