Wonderful Christmas

We had a terrific Christmas! Tom had to go to Arizona on the Thursday before Christmas. That means that I had to take Thursday and Friday off:) The kids and I enjoyed the two days by getting ready for company and spending time together. On Friday, my sister, Dezarae, and her two wonderful kids came into town. It was quite a drive from Colorado! Tom also returned home on Friday. On Saturday, Cookie/Tookie/Turkey arrived. After one crazy cookie decorating session, we were ready for Santa Claus!


The kids got lots of great stuff for Christmas. They have really enjoyed it all. The best part of that week, however, was time with the cousins. Gabe and Bea (and Dez) stayed until that next Thursday (when everyone but Tom headed to Abilene). We played lots of games, baked and decorated LOTS of cookies, went bowling, and just had an all-out good time. We hope to repeat it next year.

Thursday we headed to Abilene for the annual Merrell weekend-after-Christmas gathering. It was great to see almost the entire clan there (Erik, we missed you!). Christmas isn't Christmas without all the family fun. This year, we met at the gym of Southern Hills Church of Christ for our meal and stocking fiesta. I thought it worked out really well. The only bad thing was that I didn't get to see some of you for very long - I look forward to our next gathering in March (shhh!)!



I love Christmas - the meaning behind it, the family get-togethers. As for some of the rest of it - let's just say I'm glad it only comes once a year. We have managed to get the tree and all the decorations put away already. What a relief:)