Merry Christmas

Well, it's been a busy several days, but it's been great!

Friday after work, we headed up to my dad and step-mom's. Saturday we mostly relaxed and did some food preparation for Sunday. Somehow everyone who hadn't stayed the night at Dad and Terry's made it in - after Dad plowed the snow.
We had a great time - enjoyed creamed turkey sandwiches, hamburger soup, chili, and some other family-favorite yummies. We then enjoyed opening gifts, and then playing Apples to Apples that someone had received. It was so entertaining playing with four generations - ages almost-90 down to 9, and also was very nice getting to know my step-siblings a little better. I felt so bad for Gracie and Bill - Gracie got sick at lunchtime, so Bill had to take her home. That's the worst, to be sick and miss a fun party! I sure hope she got to enjoy the party for the other side of her family yesterday and their family today!
Then everyone who wasn't staying that night made it out later after Dad plowed the rest of the snow - including the big 4- or 5-foot drift that had developed about half-way up the driveway. The wind finally died down Sunday night, so he didn't have to get out the truck to plow the drive again so that we could head home Monday morning. One of the many highways in the area that had been closed on Sunday was still listed as closed on the DOT website, but it was just fine. There were several areas where we could tell there had been huge drifts across the roads. The roads were slick, but once we got to the interstates, they were clear and we made pretty good time.

When we got home, we ate a quick bite for lunch, got Kaylen down for her much-needed nap, and got busy cleaning and preparing for Jock's family - mom, brothers, aunts - to come to our house Christmas eve for a dinner of appetizers.
We ate, visited, and opened gifts, and then we excused ourselves to attend the candlelight service. It was a bit long, but a very nice service. Kaylen even sat through the whole thing, like the big kids. When we got home, Jock's mom was still at our house, but the rest of the party had dispersed. We visited and watched most of It's a Wonderful Life with her. Kaylen had another late night, but had fun playing with a few of her new toys a bit longer, before we got ready for Santa, and sent her off to bed.

This morning, we got up around 7:45. Kaylen had been up for a while, but was so quiet, we didn't even hear her playing and singing in her room! She did tell us that she knew Santa had been to our house - she saw the cookie crumbs and empty glass on the table, and she saw that the stockings had been filled. Now, she's not supposed to go downstairs without us in the morning, but she said she could see all that from just going down one step. I'd believe that for the stockings in the living room. However, I'm not sure how she could have seen the kitchen table without having gone ALL the way downstairs and ALL the way around the staircase, but maybe she got real smart overnight and got out a (non-existent) really long-handled mirror to hang down over the stairway railing or something - HA! :)

We had a fun time opening the gifts that Santa got us, and that we got for each other. Jock had a migraine coming on, so he went back to bed for the rest of the morning. Kaylen had a great time doing one of her doll's hair while I fixed us breakfast. We then read/watched the Christmas story from her Children's Bible/DVD. Then she enjoyed her Barbie Island Princess movie. We then had a very quick lunch, and got Kaylen down for another much-needed nap. Jock watched his movie while resting this afternoon, and while I tried to figure out how to download the pictures and videos from my Christmas present - a new digital camera!

Later this afternoon, we headed over to Jock's dad and step-mom's house. Sandra made her famous Pisole (not sure if that's spelled right) soup, and we had fun bowling on his brother's new Wii game system. Even the kids got the hang of it after a while. I think Adrian was better than me at it. I don't think Aaron got the button-pushing down by himself, but Kaylen finally did, and even got a strike! I did too - my very last try I think!

All in all, it was a wonderful Christmas! Much fun was had by us all, and amidst the holiday commercialism that tries its best to steal the show - we did manage to remember the real reason for the season. Thank you God for the most precious gift of all this Christmas - our Lord, Jesus Christ! Merry Christmas to you all!
Love,
Jock, Lisa, & Kaylen