Our Christmas Story

It was good this year,
Small expectations.
small treasured moments,
We drew names which took so much of the pressure and stress off this Santa. (wow, thanks, Mariah)
We started the season with Cookiefest at Stephanie's with Dana, Paula, Caitlin, Kat, Molly and Erin. low key and cozy, as Stephanie is reeling from a divorce.
Then there was the fun but ill-fated anti consumer Christmas where we wound up with all the junk..... attended by Pat and Eileen, Terry and his granddaughter Morgan, my old next door neighbor Jutta,the fading playboy about town, Jerry, Stephanie and a numerous bunch of very well behaved teens. (at least while in view)
Then, on Christmas Eve Eve, Stacey, Craig, his son Montana , our boy Ian arrived. Stephanie
and her girls came for dinner drinks and a fire! What a cozy night. Tom played his guitar as we congratulated each other on being family.
Then on the big day, we slept late until nine, sigh, no little ones to drag us from our beds.
But Mariah and Terry brought my mom and we opened the presents Tom and I had braved the warm wet rain to buy the day before.We read the
Christmas story, ate breakfast and opened gifts in the candlelight.
Mariah bought Caitlin a lovely purple coat hat and mittens, Terry gave me a Netfix subscription, I bought Tom a great snuggly brown hoodie from CF Martin's 175 anniversay celebration.Tom got Mariah lovely crystal wind glasses and a hand blown wine stopper, Caitlin got Terry cologne and an Itunes card and boxes of a chocolate he craves. The mood was festive and sweet.
Then on to Granny's for a patented Granny hug.My neices and great neices were all excited about a trip to New Yourk after Brittany's kidney transplant.
Ern and Russell brought the star of the hour, Miss Aiden, all of 6 months old.
Poor little David who got a 4 wheeler and a swing set for Christmas, rolled off the couch and broke his collarbone!
I visited with Judy and Eileen, the best fringe benefits of my marriage, the greatest sister in laws of all time and my heros their husbands Patrick , who can (and has ) fixed everthing and David who deals with illness with quiet strength.
Then home for a snuggle on the couch with Christmas in our hearts and plans for New Years!