Christmas is Over

And we are so tired . . .

Our Christmas festivities started the day after Thanksgiving with the married kids coming over to decorate gingerbread houses. The grandchildren then stayed for their first sleepover under the Christmas tree. We read Christmas books and rocked out to Alvin and the Chipmunks movie, had three different levels of hot chocolate, and finally succumbed to slumber around 11:00. Jenna (age 4) gave Antigone a goodnight kiss and said, "Do you know how much my heart loves you!" (And of course she always tells me I am the "best Grandma ever", which never gets old.)

Up at dawn, for a breakfast and morning walk with Grandpa followed by Cody's favorite game of Duck, Duck, Goose. Sugar cookies were on the to-do list, but it was a gorgeous 75 degrees outside, so we played more games, practiced kicking the football, and made pine cones for the birds. "This just might be the start of the best day ever!" (Jenna again) Pickup was by noon. Whew!

Anything is possible with an extension cord and a cherry-picker.

Our s.i.l. Brian (aka The Toolman) is the master of exterior illumination . . . as enthusiastic as Clark Griswold, but more proficient than Tim Taylor. Next year he says he wants to synchronize his lights to music. The tall columns are new palm trees, so I am sure he will fill the tops of them next year. When he joined our family, it was obvious we needed to upgrade our outside lighting efforts.

We do have a lot of family traditions and activities during the holidays, and when Christmas is over we are more than ready to return back to normal -- with the hope that we will always retain in our hearts the significance of the Savior's gifts with a willingness to kneel to pray, step up to serve, and reach out to rescue.