The Day After

It is hard to believe that another Christmas season has passed. It has been a two day whirlwind of presents, food, family and friends. This year was extra special. Auntie Karla and her friend Warren traveled down from Wisconsin to be with us for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Our tradition is to spend Christmas Eve at Grandma's. She always does things up right to really put us in the holiday spirit. We have a lot of great food and listen to Christmas music. The kids always get to open a Christmas present which traditionally is Christmas PJs. And they really look forward to that! This year they got to open a present from Auntie Karla as well! Gift certificates from The Children's Place. Auntie Karla is going to take them to lunch and shopping. How exciting for all of them!!! Christmas Eve was an early night. We got back to our house so the kids could get in bed and wait for Santa. Unfortunately because of such anticipation Nature Girl didn't fall asleep until almost midnight. So that meant Santa didn't get to our house until well after 12. Made for a long night :) Another tradition we have started, is Grandma and Sissy spend the night. It makes it so much easier in the morning. According to Sissy, Nature Girl and Little Mama were up at 4:20 rip roaring and ready to go. She sent them back to bed! By 7:30 we were ready for the festivities to begin. Everyone was thrilled with their gifts. Oddly enough, one of the most excited responses came when they looked in their stockings to see a battery operated toothbrush!! After all the great gifts were opened they played all day so quietly. Then, every one came back to our house late in the afternoon to hang out and eat a wonderful prime rib dinner that daddy cooked to perfection. After dinner, the kids sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. We were all so blessed to have Auntie Karla and Uncle Warren here this year. The kids absolutely loved all the extra attention given them. Uncle Warren and Boop have built a special bond! It is so neat to me to have them here. I have known Auntie Karla all my life. Who knows, maybe we have started a new family tradition . . .