Christmas

This year we celebrated three Christmases. Number one was with Scott's dad, his new wife, and great aunt Ruth. It was merry and fresh and new to us. New house for them, new tradition (with the new wife) there was a menorah this year which I am thrilled about! The meal was wonderful and the menu was varied and interesting, casseroles seeming to be Judie's specialty. The present-opening was fun for Ivy as she got the doll stroller she has been wanting for many months. The only drawback was that we were not on toddler time, nor on 90 year old time and the evening wrapped up around 10. On to my parent's house.
Christmas eve saw singing Christmas carols to the cows in the barn of a local friend. Ivy loved it, she petted the cows and noticed their soft warmth. She loved watching them drink together and marveled at the amount that they pee. Christmas morning brought more presents for Ivy but by now she was over the unwrapping thing. Sausage and Stolen breakfast and then an early nap to prepare for Christmas number 3. After (or rather in the middle of) nap we went to Scott's mom's house which I was dreading. We had an incident two years ago which involved me yelling at her and storming out of the house. The good news is that it was not repeated and things went off without a hitch. I cooked the sides to her specifications, Scott cooked the 14 pound turkey for himself and we had a quick but enjoyable dinner followed by no dessert because the oven conked out while cooking the turkey and had no more oomph to warm a pie. We raced back to try to catch a glimpse of my Canada cousins and arrived just as they were leaving my parents. I guess a glimpse of them is better than nothing. I have very cool cousins all around me. First, Second, Third, Second Cousins twice removed, so lucky!

Ivy and I spent the next couple of days with my family while Scott busily finished house #2 which I heard just sold mere moments ago. It is delightful to be out in the country with those who I am closest to, but I think the craziness took a toll on Ivy and we limped home yesterday afternoon. After a night in our own beds we are ready to take on what lies ahead. With only one day of School this week I need to get ready for a New year's gathering, pack for three for a nine day cruise and ready the house for a house sitter. It can be done, I know it, because it HAS to!

Here are my hopes for next year while I am thinking about them. Pregnancy resulting in healthy baby. A little income... oh heck, a lot of income! A fantastic start to an amazing Presidency. Pants that fit. A clean Kitchen before bed every night and a sunny attitude every morning. Creating memories with friends abroad and close to home. Having family time with Scott and Ivy and me, learning how to be a unit instead of sharing parenting responsibility as if it is a relay race. How about you?