We survived! It was chaotic, but we did it! Dennis and Nichole arrived late Friday evening and the party started. On Saturday, we headed out for our last minute market shopping, a few more last minute gifts (stocking stuffers!) Then it was time to r e l a x, at least for a while.
Grandpa (my dad) got here early in the afternoon and we settled in for the day (or so we though) to bake cookies, enjoy hot and sour soup, and get the kids geared up for Santa's visit.
As I said a few weeks ago when we put up our tree, that the train would go up on Christmas Eve. Well...I didn't realize (or remember) that we needed what seems like a million C batteries (and a 9volt for its remote) But Uncle Dennis and Aunt Nichole saved Christmas (as Cassidy said) by running out at 9PM on Christmas Eve, hunting for an open convenience store. They did succeed, and I owe them big time for that!
Christmas morning came as usual, about 7ish AM. I was the first person out of bed, but Cassidy and Alex were not far behind and wanting to come down stairs. We have rules in our house however, and they are the same rules I grew up with. No children enter the living room until an adult has made a pot of coffee, the camera is ready, and Elvis' Christmas album is playing.
They made out like bandits, if you haven't noticed. Between Santa, and Auntie Nichole and Uncle Dennis we had a living room full of toys. And this is before Grandma, Grammy and the onslaught of aunts, uncles and cousins arrived for dinner! You should have seen that sight! Take one grandmother, her daughter. Two more aunts and their husbands, All five children and their spouses (and their combined tribe of 6 children) You should have seen the wrapping paper fly through the air! Obviously, no pictures of that, but we do have it on video, and I can't wait to watch it!
And dinner was great. My ham turned out fab, and I tried making green bean casserole for the first time.  I have to say, I think I love it. The trick is using fresh or frozen green beans instead of canned (hurl!)

But now that Christmas is over. We're back to real life and real issues. Like trying to find a home for us to move to (no success yet) And hopefully a job offer for Richard.  I keep thinking, it has to get better, it can't get any worse. But I realize we ARE blessed that we are all healthy, and together.

Happy Holidays Everyone, no matter what holiday you celebrate!

Around a year ago on this day..

• Lets Clap Hands For Santa Claus - 2007