White Christmas

This is our last chance for a white Christmas for awhile. Here's hoping.

Most years we miss our families so much on Christmas that we try to find other lonely people and have a big family type Christmas with friends. We go to a lot of trouble to turn virtual strangers into family. This being our last Christmas abroad, and all of us being busy with school, and a bit intimidated by the move, we are having a quiet Christmas.

We did the work party. Other than that we are keeping it simple. Jeff and Mandy are both off the week of Christmas. We have decided that on Christmas day we will open presents, and then have a nice breakfast, and then just hang out the rest of the day. Watch TV, take naps, take turns playing with Lily, play with our presents, and then have a nice dinner. Just us. It always bothers me to be all on our own at Christmas, but this year it is like saying goodbye to an old friend, the family-free Christmas.

During the rest of the week we have decided to be on vacation at home. Very casual and leisurely however, we are going to try to do one small family event per day. Bowling, swimming, ice skating, arcade, jumpy castle - I have tons of ideas hopefully we can come to a consensus, or whatever I will force all this family fun on them.

I still have a ton of wrapping to do, batteries to buy, stocking stuffers too. But, for the most part we are ready. Except for the banana pudding, must get vanilla wafers. Merry Christmas.

Now tell me all about your plans.